LeBron James to Make ‘Push’ to Play Sometime in Lakers’ Final Three Games

We may or may not see Lakers star LeBron James play again in the regular season, that much still seems to be up in the air.

But per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, James is expected to try to return from a foot injury in the final week of the regular season.

“A league source familiar with LeBron James’ thinking told me that he believes LeBron will push [to play] over the final 3 games the Lakers play in Los Angeles,” McMenamin said on ESPN. “… To target that range, so long as there are no setbacks in his rehab.”

Both Shams Charania of The Athletic and Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report followed with similar reports. The Lakers play the Clippers (April 5), Suns (April 7), and Jazz (April 9). All three games are in Los Angeles.

As McMenamin noted, Lakers guard Dennis Schroder has said James is working out multiple times a day to try to get ready for a return.

James, 38, has been out since mid-February with a right foot tendon injury. he is averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 47 games.

The Lakers (36-37) currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference, having won six of 10 minus James. They are just two games back of the fifth-place Clippers.

Dave McMenamin: “A league source familiar with LeBron James’ thinking told me that he believes LeBron will push [to play] over the final 3 games the Lakers play in Los Angeles.” pic.twitter.com/MlukYRLY2m

— pickuphoop (@pickuphoop) March 23, 2023