After having to delay his return earlier this week, LeBron James was back on the court this afternoon. Playing for just the third time since suffering a high-ankle sprain March 20, James posted 24 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in 28 minutes as the Lakers topped the Pacers to stay alive in the race for a top-six seed and a chance to avoid the play-in tournament.
Coach Frank Vogel was encouraged by what he saw out of James today, tweets Mark Medina of USA Today. “He’s looked really good,” Vogel said, adding that “obviously it’s going to take time before he gets to be 100%.”
James called today’s game “a complete 180” from the last time he tried to play, which was May 2 against the Raptors, writes Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. His ankle stiffened up at halftime in that game, but today there was just “a tiny bit” of soreness.
“I still got some more room for improvement as far as my ankle and my mobility and my strength,” James said. “But I’m 10 times better than I was in that Toronto game and I believe I can get five-to-ten times better in the future. The more games that we have, the more opportunity that I get to really just continue to strengthen it, strengthen everything around it.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- L.A. needs a win Sunday in New Orleans and a loss by the Trail Blazers against Denver to finish in sixth place. With the stakes so high, there may be temptation to have James test out his ankle in a back-to-back situation, but he wasn’t able to offer any clues as to whether he’ll play, Medina adds (via Twitter). “It’s up to the coaching staff and training staff,” James told reporters.
- Dennis Schröder played his first game today since clearing the NBA’s health and safety protocols, but his post-game answers left reporters confused, Goon notes in the same story. Schröder said he never tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted being the only Laker who didn’t get the vaccine. “At least I can’t get it no more in the playoffs, so that’s probably the best thing,” he added. Schröder became frustrated when pressed for an explanation and refused to comment any further.
- Jovan Buha of The Athletic examines the Lakers’ potential playoff rotations to determine which combinations will work best around James and Anthony Davis.
Not for nothing, but LAL would be crazy to have LBJ play tomorrow.
A) Even if they win they could still be in the play-in.
B) If LeMao is healthy it doesn’t matter who they face. In fact I’d prob prefer to PHX than LAC. So they’re better off getting 7.
C) If he hurts his ankle even slightly tmrw then they risk losing the play-in and missing the playoffs completely. If he’s healthy there’s a close to 0% chance they lose back to backs in the play-in.
0% chance… easy now.
You’re assuming they would finish in 7th place beating either the Warriors or Memphis, depending on who finished 8th. They could play Utah too.
This man really thinks a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis is not going to be successful but says the Rockets will be a good team next year. Pure delusion.
True. Still IDK between PHX Utah and LAC I’m not sure I would care if I’m LAL.
If anything I think I’d put a premium on avoiding Kawhi in Round 1, no offense to Utah or Phoenix. I just know Kawhi’s done it at the highest level. Utah and PHX are still unproven.
I think they will play a couple rotations 1st half and pull the plug at halftime when they see Denver and Joker folding like a lawn chair
If they can get PHX rd 1 it lines up great for the Lakers
I think clippers, nuggets, warriors, and grizzlies will be trying to avoid the lakers:
Scenario 1: Clippers & nuggets rest their key players, losing both to OKC & portland, which means lakers plays at the play-in tournament.
Scenario 2: This is related to scenario 1, Grizzlies vs Warriors winner would face the lakers so these two teams must have been thinking, do we have a good chance against the lakers or be better off playing for the no. 8 spot vs the spurs?
Scenario 3: Both nuggets & clippers win their last games, and lakers win vs the pelicans. Nuggets vs lakers in round 1.
Griz and warriors wanna win tomorrow , the game w the Lakers would essentially be a free-roll….and then they’d get the true elimination game at home if they lose that
Denver is not winning tomorrow…if your a Laker fan set your sights more toward the Utah/Sac game and hope for Utah to win
Certainly he shouldn’t play if the main reason is to get out of the play-in.
I think its almost a done deal that they won’t. Doesn’t Denver have to beat Portland? Why would they do that? It would lock them into the 3 spot, and give them a first round series with the Lakers, assuming they win. Denver can lose any game they want to merely by “resting” Jokic.
If denver chooses that route, lakers awaits who wins in the warriors-grizzlies match. If lakers wins and gets the 7th seed, they’ll face the suns or jazz in the 1st round. This will depend on what happens with suns & jazz last remaining game. But, i assume suns will try to get the no. 1 seed and hopes utah loses to the kings.
They aren’t going to win …I dont see Porter or Joker playing more than 1 rotation (9 mins) max if at all
What Im realllllyyy wondering is will Clips attempt to lose again to OKC who sure as hell doesnt want to win….. That could get all out cringy ….4 seed more appealing than 3 in West
But I think LAC will win, they already played their chess piece Friday vs HOU to seal Lakers fate essentially
Wouldnt be surprised to see Dallas lose to T wolves at all tho (and not on purpose) That would help Clips Rd 1 w a win booting Dallas down to 6
If I’m the Nuggets, I’m not choosing the Lakers to be my first round opponent. I’d rest Jokic/my starters, lose tomorrow and face the Blazers or Mavs in the first round of the playoffs.
This is what will happen….And they will be silently praying for the softy Mavs to pull thru against the T wolves …not a given by any means …..
The prize for finishing the regular season first, second or third? The Lakers in the first round. That will keep an fan base up at night
Never a 7 nor a 8 seed has been champion … so keep talking
Blazers have a tougher gm with Denver. Pelicans sorry season could end well with a win. They should be pumped to beat Lakers. Not a doctor, but I blew out an ankle in HS. And seems to me Bron has milked this to be rested for playoffs. I think he believes Lakers can beat anyone. And with no real crowds in stands. Hm court is not such a big deal this yr. Still as a 7th seed, They are not making it to West Finals.