1:48pm: James sent out a tweet saying he was not reevaluated today and there’s no target date for his return. He added that he’s “working around the clock” to give himself the “best chance of coming back full strength,” whenever that might be. However, he did not dispute that he was optimistic about returning before the regular season ends.
12:46pm: The Lakers announced on Thursday that LeBron James has started on-court work, but there’s no specific timeline for his return (Twitter link via Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times).
However, according to reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, and Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report (All Twitter links), James is optimistic he could return in the final week of the regular season and play a few games. Head coach Darvin Ham previously said the Lakers expected James to return before the season ended.
As Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group notes (via Twitter), the Lakers play at Houston and at the Clippers on April 4 and 5, followed by home games against the Suns and Jazz on April 7 and 9. Goon believes the final three games are logic target dates for James, as they’re all in Los Angeles.
James last played on February 26 against Dallas after sustaining a foot injury. On March 2, he was diagnosed with a tendon injury in his right foot and was scheduled to be reevaluated in three weeks, hence today’s update.
Bolstered by trade deadline additions and strong play from Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, among others, the Lakers have gone 7-5 since James went down with the injury. They’re currently 36-37, the No. 10 seed in the West, but the standings remain extremely tight — only one game separates the Nos. 7-12 seeds.
Getting the team’s leading scorer, second-leading rebounder and top assist man back would obviously be beneficial for the Lakers in their effort to make the playoffs. James, 38, has been limited to 47 games this season, but continues to play at a very high level, averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 36.1 minutes per night
Who would be optimistic about that? Mickey maouse?
Why is he working around a clock? He should be working around the basketball court. Lebron has way too many outside interests…
This team has been really fun without him, BUT, they have a sloppiness to their play that need fixing- that Houston and Dallas game were atrocious ball security wise. Reaves is terrific, Russell is genuinely clutch, and Schroeder has stepped up. That said, they need to cut down on the turnovers. They’ve been aggressive, getting to the line at a ridiculous rate. They’ve been shooting the ball really well. But they need a better primary ball handler.
BTW, Beasley is useless to this team. The way he chucks up these terrible shots, those may as well be turnovers as well. It’s a shame about Bamba.
I think Beasley fits better w Lebron
Becomes a more straight up catch and shoot fella alla Kyle Korver
Great point on the turnovers tho , yea it’s been toooo sloppy , something that won’t hold up if playoffs occur
Also, defensive rebounding has been a big problem. AD needs help. Way too many times it’s 3 on 2 for the opponent on the glass.
100%
I think they have lost the o reb dept the last 10 games in a row
Dude just needs to give it up already
Yeah, no reason to make 5oM a year if you don’t have to.
So he might be back right after AD goes down for the season. Got it.
Reaves been getting a lot of love lebron not getting his usual attention gotta make a “miracle comeback”lol