Lakers star LeBron James is a game-time decision ahead of Saturday night’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. James has been out since March 8 with a groin strain.
Per McMenamin, James is listed as questionable, but will warm up and be a game-time decision. James began on-court workouts last Sunday, and ESPN’s Shams Charania said the team would be cautious with his return.
It has been an up-and-down experience for the Lakers since losing James — starting power forward Rui Hachimura is also still out with a knee injury — and the direction has mostly depended on Luka Dončić. They are 3-1 in games since James’ injury when Dončić plays, with the lone loss being a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in which their entire starting frontcourt is out. They are 0-2 in the games Dončić has missed.
The Lakers are coming off a blowout loss Thursday in which Austin Reaves was out in addition to James, Dončić and Hachimura. That group represents their top four scorers. Not coincidentally, James’ son Bronny posted a career high in points with 17 in that game.
With only 13 games left on their regular season schedule, Los Angeles needs its players to get healthy soon if they want a chance to play together before the NBA playoffs begin.
In 58 games this season, James is averaging 25 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 52% from the floor (and 38% on 3-pointers). He’d scored 25 or more points in eight of his past 10 games while the Lakers had won eight consecutive contests before their March 8 loss to Boston.
The Lakers are 43-26 and sit in third place in the Western Conference.
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