LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James did not play in Sunday’s 133-121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans because of left foot injury management.

James, 40, missed the first 14 games of the season with sciatica — a nerve issue affecting his lower back and down the right side of his body. The four-time NBA MVP also missed games last season because of his left foot.

“It is an injury he’s had in the past,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game. “It’s something we’ve had to manage in the past. Given the back-to-back and the fact that he’s basically just coming off his training camp — this has been his training camp over the last 10 days or so — just being cautious.”

Sunday was the first leg of a back-to-back for the Lakers, with a home game against the Phoenix Suns to follow Monday.

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, James’ longtime friend and agent, told ESPN last week that it was his preference for James not to play in back-to-backs to preserve his body as he plays in a record-setting 23rd season.

Redick said the Lakers have not ruled out back-to-backs for James moving forward. The Lakers have 10 remaining on the schedule after the Pelicans-Suns one is completed.

“We’re going to build him up, hopefully, to be able to play in back-to-backs,” Redick said. “That’s the goal. … Every back-to-back is a case-by-case, that’s just the reality of the NBA right now. But we want him to be able to play in back-to-backs, so does he. So we’re going to work towards that.”

James is averaging 16.5 points, 8.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds in four games this season since returning from the sciatica injury. The Lakers have gone 4-0 with him in the lineup.

The Lakers were also without guard Marcus Smart for the second straight game because of back spasms.

With James and Smart out, Gabe Vincent — who started the first three games of the season for L.A. — rejoined the starting lineup.