The Los Angeles Lakers have been without NBA All-Star LeBron James for all but six games this season. James dealt with some ankle soreness earlier in the season and most recently has been combating a strained abdominal muscle.
James was originally expected to be sidelined for only a week, but he has been out of the lineup for more than two weeks now. He has appeared in only six games for the Lakers this season, as they have struggled mightily with him sidelined.
Replacing the production of a player of his caliber is not easy and Los Angeles has experienced that first hand. They are 4-6 in the games without him, losing inexplicably twice to the Oklahoma City Thunder and getting blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves as well.
The team could certainly use James back in the lineup and it could be coming soon. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, there is some chance that The King returns to the lineup for Friday night’s game against the Boston Celtics.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Update Suggests Lakers’ LeBron James Will Return ‘Soon’
“I hope,” James told ESPN on Wednesday when asked if he would play against the Celtics after missing the past eight games and 10 of L.A.’s 16 games because of injury. “I hope.”
While Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel said James is “day to day,” sources close to James told ESPN that there is a “50-50” chance he will be back in the lineup at the TD Garden.”
Los Angeles just kicked off a five-game trip through the Eastern Conference with a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks. After playing in Boston on Friday, they will travel to take on the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers.
If James does not return against the Celtics, it would not be surprising to see him held out until Tuesday’s matchup with the Knicks. Los Angeles, even as shorthanded as they are, should be able to handle the Pistons sans James.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Update Suggests Lakers’ LeBron James Will Return ‘Soon’
The games against the Knicks and Pacers are a back-to-back set. We will learn a lot about how healthy James is if he is cleared and able to participate in both games.
LeBron James has been adamant about his stance opposing load management, but it might be something the organization tries convincing him to take part in as scheduled days off are easier to navigate than injuries randomly popping up throughout the season.
