LeBron James says he will prioritize his health over the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff run during the regular season, as he reported in an ESPN article:

“I have to be smart.”, James said after the Lakers’ 136-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. “If I’m not healthy, or almost healthy, it’s still not good for our club. It’s not good for me.”

James returned after a one-game absence due to a sore left ankle — a problem that has plagued him for months — to record his fourth triple-double of the season with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists against the Grizzlies.

L.A. extended its win streak to five games and currently sits in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with nine games left in the regular season.

However, Lebron James said resting his ankle the night before in the Lakers’ 128-124 double overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks is proof that he does not want to risk short-term gains that could affect his long-term availability.

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