LeBron James makes his Lakers return from private causes absence

LeBron James returned to the Lakers’ lineup Sunday evening after lacking their final two video games because of private causes and a left foot harm, and whereas he informed reporters he felt “fairly good,” the 40-year-old celebrity additionally revealed that his foot harm hasn’t pale but.

“It’s not behind me,” James informed reporters after the Lakers’ 116-110 win over the Grizzlies, in keeping with The Athletic. “It’s an on a regular basis factor.”

James added that he has handled the foot harm for a number of years, the outlet reported.

LeBron James drives during the Lakers' win against the Grizzlies on Dec. 15. — LeBron James drives in the course of the Lakers’ win in opposition to the Grizzlies on Dec. 15. AP

Head coach JJ Redick had beforehand described his “private causes” absence as an excused one.

Redick informed reporters Wednesday that James — who missed his first sport of the season Dec. 8 in opposition to the Path Blazers — wasn’t with the staff and would “take a while” earlier than returning, and that included a second missed sport Friday in opposition to the Timberwolves.

However he returned Sunday and completed with 18 factors on 7-for-17 taking pictures, although that didn’t assist a scoring common (23.0 factors per sport coming into the evening) on tempo to be James’ lowest mark since his rookie season (20.9).

At one level throughout this current stoop, James missed 20 consecutive 3-pointers, although he related on 6-of-11 pictures from past the arc throughout his remaining sport earlier than the two-game absence and added one other three 3s on Sunday.

“I felt my foot, felt my physique … I did my pregame exercise on that Sunday for the Portland sport and determined it was most likely finest if I took that day without work,” James informed reporters, in keeping with the AP. “I had the chance to take extra days and get my thoughts, physique and simply every little thing the place I wished to be for tonight, and it labored out.”

LeBron James attempts a shot during the Lakers' win against the Grizzlies on Dec. 15. — LeBron James makes an attempt a shot in the course of the Lakers’ win in opposition to the Grizzlies on Dec. 15. NBAE by way of Getty Photos

James, whose son Bronny was drafted by Los Angeles within the second spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft and has shuttled between the NBA and G League, and the Lakers (14-12) don’t play once more till Thursday, once they journey to face the Kings.

“It’s very uncommon all through the course of the season the place you possibly can benefit from the schedule,” James informed reporters Sunday, “and I used to be in a position to do this the previous week.”