Lakers' Darvin Ham Gives Huge Update On LeBron James' Status
Following their recent loss against the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers have fallen out of the Western Conference playoff picture. Taking on the Orlando Magic on Sunday night, the Lakers face a scenario that is not necessarily a "must-win game," but it is as close to one as you can get!
The Lakers really need to pick up as many wins as they can down the stretch in order to keep their playoff hopes alive this season, but they are currently attempting to do so without LeBron James, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader continues to sit out due to a right foot injury.
Suffering this foot injury on February 26 against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers revealed on March 2 that James has a right foot tendon injury and would be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks.
Ahead of their matchup against the Magic on Sunday night, head coach Darvin Ham talked about LeBron James' progress and when Los Angeles' star could return to the floor.
"We anticipate him coming back at some point [this season]," Ham told reporters. However, he did not give an exact timeframe for when James could return to the floor.
Assuming LeBron's foot is re-evaluated this coming week, as that would be the approximate three-week period the Lakers initially put out, it is certainly possible that James could return before the end of the regular season.
As long as he continues to not have any setbacks and his injury is healing, LeBron James could return with a week or week-and-a-half left in the regular season, allowing him some time to get back up to full-speed ahead of the playoffs or the Play-In Tournament.
Without him on the floor, the Lakers have gone 5-5, recently suffering a tough buzzer-beating loss at home to the Mavericks on Friday night.
Entering Sunday's matchup against the Magic, the Lakers find themselves just a half game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz, who are the current 9-seed and 10-seed in the Western Conference, respectively.
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