Lakers star LeBron James said he hopes to return for Friday’s road game against the Celtics, though a source told Dave McMenamin of ESPN that James is actually “50-50” to play.
James told McMenamin, “I hope” about returning to the lineup from an abdominal strain that has sidelined him since Nov. 4, causing him to miss eight straight games. He has appeared in just six this season, after being sidelined for two games with a sore ankle.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters that James remains “day-to-day.”
The latest update comes about a week after a source told McMenamin that James is “progressing great” and should return to game action “soon.”
He is averaging 24.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in his 19th season. The Lakers (8-8) visit Indiana on Saturday.
“If the Lakers are easing James back into action, he likely wouldn’t play both games of that back-to-back set,” noted Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.
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