LeBron James sat out the Lakers’ 115-101 road loss to the Warriors two days after he returned from a 17-game absence with a strained left groin he hurt at Oracle Arena on Christmas.

Coach Luke Walton made the announcement about James’ “load management” some 80 minutes before Saturday night’s game, saying James woke up Friday “pretty sore” after playing 40 minutes in a 123-120 overtime victory over the Clippers on Thursday. James had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in that game.

Walton said resting James gives the 34-year-old four-time MVP a few more days to recover before the Lakers play the Pacers on Tuesday.

Lou Williams scored 16 points in a row during a torrid fourth-quarter stretch, and the Clippers rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat the host Pistons 111-101. Williams finished with 39 points. ... James Harden scored 43 points to extend his streak to 26 games of scoring 30 or more and help the visiting Rockets beat the Jazz 125-98.

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