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A LeBron James return this season – either for a push to reach the postseason or to power a playoff run – could be crucial for the LA Lakers. But how soon will the NBA's all-time scoring king be able to return and be the force he can be?
However, Lakers coach Darvin Ham said James is still "not really able physically to participate" in shootarounds.
"There's only 10 games left, and we've really gotta push through and try to make this thing happen," Ham said. "So, just his presence at shootaround, although he's not really able physically to participate, you know, just his presence being around and talking to the guys and, you know, giving them confidence, building them up (is) helping us out with things he sees."
James was averaging 29.5 points on 50.1% shooting, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists before leaving a victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 26. The Lakers (35-37) are in 11th place in the Western Conference, a half-game out of contention for the play-in tournament.
LeBron James' status
Since leaving the game against the Mavericks with the foot injury on Feb. 26, LeBron James has been sidelined from basketball activities.
On Monday, Chris Haynes from Bleacher Report, said this on a podcast episode with Marc Stein:
"I think, obviously, the goal is for LeBron to return at some point before the season concludes, but what I’m hearing is that still might be a push right there, him returning at some point. I reported a few weeks ago that … the Lakers had to try and do whatever they could to try to win as many games as possible to give LeBron James as much time to recover as possible.
"So, that means that even when he does come back, he might not be fully healthy, but (they are) just trying to buy him some time."
With the importance of LeBron James being healthy enough to help a postseason run, the Lakers are taking extra precautions with the 19-time All-Star.
LeBron James and the LA Lakers' final stretch of games
The Los Angeles Lakers (35-37) are 11th in the Western Conference standings. In LeBron James' absence, the Lakers have gone 6-5.
The team faces the Phoenix Suns (38-33) on Wednesday night in a big game for the LA Lakers for seeding purposes. The Lakers are jockeying with the OKC Thunder (36-36), Dallas Mavericks (36-36), Minnesota Timberwolves (36-37) and Utah Jazz (35-36) to make at least the play-in tournament.
With only 10 games remaining for LeBron James and the LA Lakers, time doesn't look to be on their side.
