LeBron James described the remaining 23 games as the most important stretch of regular season games of his career. The Los Angeles Lakers are battling for a playoff spot.

"It's 23 of the most important games of my career, for a regular season," James said Sunday before playing in a record-tying 19th All-Star Game. "It's the type of mindset that I have, and I hope the guys will have, coming back off the break."

James has missed 14 games so far this season, including a recent three-game stretch because of left foot and ankle plain, but he plans on being on the court as much as possible for the playoff pursuit.

"I hope I can figure out a way to just make sure that I'm available on the floor every single night for these 23 games to give us a chance," James said, speaking to reporters for the first time all weekend after being excused Saturday for personal reasons. "Give our group a chance to be able to compete every night and give ourselves a chance to win every night so we can give ourselves a chance to get into the postseason."