When will LeBron James (38) dribble across the floor again?
The basketball superstar injured his foot at the end of February and has been absent from the LA Lakers with ankle problems since then. When can the NBA club bet on him again? Still unclear.
ESPN reporters Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin have claimed in a report that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is looking to make a comeback in the final week of the regular season. According to ESPN, James could wear the Lakers jersey again for the last three games of the season with the Los Angeles Clippers (April 5), against the Utah Jazz (April 7) and against the Phoenix Suns (April 9).
James himself wrote on Twitter on Thursday that there was no target date for his return. “I just work 24/7 every day to give myself – whenever possible – the best chance of coming back in full force.”
However, the Lakers have confirmed that the NBA star is gradually making his way back onto the basketball court after suffering a foot injury sustained against the Dallas Mavericks on February 26. Before his retirement, he was averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game, playing the best basketball of the season.
While James was out, the Lakers held a solid 7-5 record thanks to rising guard Austin Reaves. Coach Darvin Ham told reporters on Sunday that the team expect James to return “at some point” this season. A lot will depend on whether the Lakers stay in the playoff race over the next few weeks. With a balance of 36:37 points, they currently occupy ninth place in the Western Conference and have a good chance of ending up in the play-in tournament.
One thing is clear: If the season goes badly for the Lakers, there is no reason for James to get involved in pointless games. But if the team finishes in the top six, it might be possible to give James a break until then. Then he would be fit enough to fight for the championship.
The regular season ends on April 9, followed by the so-called play-in tournament for places seven to ten. The NBA playoffs begin on April 15th. In 2020, the Lakers won the title with LeBron James.
