LeBron James sits out the Lakers’ matchup against the Pelicans as the team continues to manage the nagging issues in his left foot. It’s a storyline that echoes last season, when the same injury kept him off the floor at key moments. With another game coming up the very next night, the Lakers choose caution over risk.

JJ Redick spells out the bigger picture to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, saying “the goal is to get James to the point where he can play in back to backs.” For now, the Lakers stay “just being cautious,” especially with LeBron already missing 14 games at the start of the season. The priority remains simple: keep him healthy today so he’s ready when the stakes rise.

(This is a developing story…)