The Los Angeles Lakers have already shut down LeBron James for the remainder of the 2018-19 season with the hopes of returning to the playoffs out the window. But head coach Luke Walton revealed before Sunday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans that it was a decision that the organization had to impose upon James, who wanted to finish out the year, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin:
“He wants to play. My understanding from the medical staff, they finally said, ‘Look, it's just not worth it anymore. Let's make sure you have a healthy summer.' So that's the decision that was made, and we'll move forward without him on the floor for the final six.”
James missed 17 consecutive games after suffering a groin strain during the Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors. He would return to action Jan. 31, but the loss of the team's best player came at a critical moment when they were just beginning to get comfortable alongside other another. Even once James returned to the mix from February onward, there wasn't enough time to jell and still nab a playoff bid in the Western Conference.
The injury to James isn't the only bad bit of luck the franchise has had, with both Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball having to be shut down for the year earlier than anticipated. Couple that with the outside drama that surrounded the organization around the trade deadline and speculation over Anthony Davis' acquisition, and here we sit, with five games remaining in the Lakers' season with them playing out the string sans James.
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