LeBron James Out of Walking Boot, Back with Lakers

Lakers star forward LeBron James has had his walking boot removed and is back with the team after about a week away, coach Darvin Ham said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“Everything is going according to plan.” Ham said.

James sustained a right foot tendon injury in the first game after the All-Star break. The Lakers announced on March 2 that he would be re-evaluated in three weeks, and that timeline is approaching. They fear he could be out until just before the playoffs, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

“We don’t know when that will be,” Charania said of James’ potential return. “Three weeks (until) re-evaluation for him, and even after that, I don’t know that the Lakers think he will be back in three weeks. It will likely be beyond that.

“And so you’re in the position that you hope he’s back right before the playoffs, or he gets back (for) the play-in.”

James, 38, has been in and out of the lineup most of the season, missing three games right before the All-Star break with left foot and ankle soreness. He was re-injured in the only game he’s played since early February.

He is averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 47 games, having set the NBA’s all-time scoring record just before the break. Along with that, he is shooting 50 percent from the field and 31 percent on 3-pointers.

The Lakers (33-35) are in 11th place in the Western Conference and fighting for a berth in the play-in tournament.

Well, Lakers waited this long, what’s another couple games? (Final: NY 112, LA 108) https://t.co/xfuB6HNGap

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) March 13, 2023