"Whoever came up with this needs to be fired," LeBron on Lakers' possible play-in

The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt another disappointing loss, this time by the short-handed Toronto Raptors. But seeing LeBron James head to the locker room early served as a reminder it could have been much worse.

James left with 6:42 to play as the Raptors defeated the Lakers 121-114 on Sunday night. Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel said it was a precautionary move to pull James in his second game back after missing 20 because of a sprained right ankle.

"The first half, it feels really good. Obviously warming up for the game, everything is going well," said James, who had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. "Last two games at halftime, you know, after the break, it's kind of gotten a little sore on me — a little tight.

"And obviously Coach decided not to put me back in towards the end because of that, so that's pretty much it."