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LeBron James could be back sooner rather than later after videos emerged of him practicing free throws in his warm-up kit amid his rehab. James went down with a foot injury after the Lakers' 127-118 win over the Dallas Mavericks on February 26th.
It was diagnosed as a tendon injury. The re-evaluation date was set around March 23rd. James appeared on the sidelines in a walking boot for multiple games, supporting his teammates and raising concerns among fans.
However, recent reports have been positive, and video footage of him getting in on-court work has the Lakers faithful excited about his potential return. One fan was in awe of James' recovery rate as he wrote:
"This mf got that speed healing factor"
More reactions followed:
The latest reports by The Athletic's Shams Charania suggest that LeBron James' injured right foot is much better. However, the LA Lakers will likely be patient with his return as a concrete timetable isn't available for his return to significant on-court activities. The Lakers will continue to prepare, believing James will be out for a significant portion of the regular season.
LA Lakers staying afloat in LeBron James' absence
The LA Lakers have been on a roll since the trade deadline. They made significant improvements to their roster, adding D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley to the fold. LA has one of the most versatile and deep rosters in the NBA.
That has helped them record a 9-5 run since the deadline, tied for the fourth-best record during that stretch. The Lakers have been the second-best defensive team since then, with a 109.2 rating. They are also in the top 10 in net ratings (+3.1).
LeBron James has played in only three out of those 14 games (all three games resulting in wins), so it's a commendable effort from the team to boast a winning record without their best player. LA has relied heavily on James since he arrived in 2018, but the roster depth has never been better than it is now.
The LA Lakers have the cushion to give James an extended break, which could help him recover close to a 100% before the postseason. By the looks of it, James could return to play the final four or five games barring any major setbacks.
The Lakers are in contention to finish as a top-six team, as they are only two games behind the fifth-ranked Warriors and sixth-ranked Clippers. LA boasts a 34-35 record, good for ninth in the Western Conference.
