After spending the week increasing his level of activity in practices and scrimmages, LeBron James returned Thursday night after missing 17 consecutive games. The absence marked the longest of James’ career, and one in which the Lakers went 6-11.
In addition to losing James for the prolonged stretch, the Lakers played 14 games without Rajon Rondo, and the last five without Lonzo Ball. James did not have a minutes restriction in place but Lakers head coach Luke Walton said the team would monitor his conditioning.
The 16-year veteran wound up logging 40 minutes in the 123-120 overtime win against the Clippers.