The NBA all time record scorer, LeBron James returned to action for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday after suffering a torn tendon in his right foot last month.
It had been earlier disclosed that two doctors had recommended that James go under the knife to repair his ailing foot, but the 20-year forward decided to go for a round-the-clock rehabilitation and training to return.
He returned exactly four weeks after missing 13 games in total.
James had 19 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field, with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 turnovers for the Lakers off the bench in their loss against the Bulls.
His timely return would be key for the L.A Lakers’ final push to qualify for the playoffs in the western conference.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, the loss to theChicago Bulls dropped L.A. to the 9th spot in the Western Conference standings, but the consolation is that they are only two wins behind the 6th placed Golden State Warriors with seven games remaining.
After the game, James said “Obviously, the rhythm is the most important, I had a couple of drives and the ball got away from me. A couple of shots didn’t feel as good as before, obviously. But I was out for four weeks, so between that and the wind, just trying to get those things back leading to the final stretch of the season.”
On the Lakers playoffs chances, he said: “To hell with the play-in; we actually can be a top-eight seed, That definitely changed my mindset on me coming back and trying to be a part of this. … I don’t really want to say changed my mindset; it just enhanced what I was trying to do as far as my workouts, as far as my treatment and everything.”
Reacting to his return, L.A Lakers all-star centre and James teammates, Anthony Davis said “You could see him getting his rhythm, his timing, his finishes, all of that, He’s going to be all right. We’re going to be all right. … It was great to see him back out there.”
Lakers coach Darvin Ham also said The team will have to find time at shootarounds and film sessions to coalesce around James.
“There will be times and opportunities to make sure we’re all on the same pace re-implementing him back into the lineup, He’s a savvy veteran, one of the greatest to ever do it, over 20 years, so it’s not going to take much.”
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