Getty
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Veteran Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James missed the start of an NBA season for the first time this season, in his record-breaking 23rd campaign.
To rehab from his sciatica injury, the 41-year-old practiced discipline by giving up alcohol and desserts for nearly two months — a sacrifice Caitlin Clark can’t relate to. While reacting to James’ comments, Clark joked that she’d “rather retire” than give up her beloved chocolate chip cookies, calling James “Him” for his ability to abstain.
James understands why a 23-year-old Clark, just entering the prime of her career, would be unwilling to take the extreme route in her rehab. But he also acknowledges that the Indiana Fever star would go to any lengths to prolong her blossoming career.
“When it started, I don’t know. But it’s been there for quite a while and she’s (Caitlin Clark) disciplined as well,” James said on Friday, via Lakers beat writer Ryan Ward.
“I guarantee if she had to give up something in order to get her back on the floor, she’ll do it as well,” added the NBA’s all-time points leader.
LeBron James Praises Caitlin Clark
James delved further into why he had to give up a few of his vices to recover from an obvious Father Time injury that sidelined him for the first 14 games of the season.
“But yeah, it is just part of my, it’s part of my make-up, to know that I can knock out things and lock in on,” said James, who admittedly loved “the challenge” of going without alcohol and desserts for nearly two months.
“That was one of the moments just being able to take things out that I love. I’m not gonna say like it’s the reason why I came back or whatever the case may be, but just being able to be disciplined like that and try to get my body in the best possible shape, give my body the best possible chance to recover when that was going on, when I wasn’t playing and things of that nature.
“So, when I was trying to come back, I would say that.”
Lakers Gain Momentum
James’ early-season sacrifices are paying dividends for both him and the Lakers, as JJ Redick’s squad has found its stride in recent weeks. The Lakers improved to an NBA-best 16-3 in clutch time scenarios with their 125-122 win over the Clippers on Friday.
With the Lakers finally whole again, Redick believes his team has the momentum to finish the season on a high and possibly secure a top-three seed.
“It’s just the situation we’re in,” Redick said of the Lakers having Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and James for only 10 games prior to Friday’s win.
“We’re not the only team that has had a bunch of health issues throughout the season and had to manage that, but my message to the players this morning was that this is going to be a sprint for these last 28 games.”
The Lakers (34-21) will next host their historic rivals, the Boston Celtics (36-19), in a blockbuster matinee clash on Sunday.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories