LeBron James Takes Part in Non-Contact Portion of Practice

It’s too early say if LeBron James will return for the Lakers in time for Friday’s home game vs. the Pistons, but he did seem to take a positive step toward that end.

Per Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet, James was a non-contact participant at practice on Wednesday. He has missed the previous two games with an adductor strain, and his status for Friday will be update sometime Thursday. At last check, he was listed as out.

James, 37, was forced to exit a loss to the Clippers last week with what the team initially called leg soreness. It happened with just less than 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter after he attempted to post up Clippers forward Paul George.

Even with James, the Lakers (3-10) had struggled mightily, finally snapping a four-game skid with a win over the Nets, as James watched from the sideline.

“I mean it’s just a lot of adversity,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “[James] has been trying his heart out just to be there for us and play at a high level. I thought he had it going really, really well tonight. But it just is something that it’s the NBA season, man. You got to be ready for a little bit of everything.”

LeBron James (adductor strain) took part in non-contact portions of practice. His status for Friday’s game vs. DET will be updated Thursday.

Dennis Schroder + Thomas Bryant are probable vs. DET, Coach Darvin Ham said, after they missed almost a month because of thumb injuries.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 16, 2022