NBA News: LeBron James returns to Los Angeles early

On Sunday evening, LeBron James was unavailable to the Los Angeles Lakers for the third year in a row. The reason is persistent knee problems, but it is unclear whether the 37-year-old will be out for a longer time.

In the 121:129 defeat of the Lakers against the Atlanta Hawks, the third loss in a row, LeBron was no longer on the bench. The Lakers superstar had already traveled back to LA on Saturday and thus missed the last game of his team’s East Coast trip.

For the third time in a row he was unable to play due to problems in his left knee. An MRI scan revealed a “general swelling,” as Lakers coach Frank Vogel explained. Vogel was unable to provide any concrete information on whether LeBron is in danger of being out for a longer period of time.

“As long as the swelling is there, he won’t play,” said the head coach. “We will get him back as soon as possible.” Apparently, a comeback against the Portland Trail Blazers, the first Lakers home game after the east coast trip on Thursday night, is an option: “We’ll watch it day by day.”

The 18-time All-Star’s knee problems are not due to a specific scene, as Vogel assured. Instead, LeBron woke up in Philadelphia last Thursday with pain in his left knee.