LeBron returns for Lakers after 17-game absence
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has been cleared and will make his return Thursday night against the LA Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed.
James has missed 17 straight games because of a groin injury he suffered on Christmas night at Golden State. He was originally listed as out but was upgraded to doubtful Thursday morning.
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Lakers coach Luke Walton said before the game that James would start and would have no minutes limit. He was asked if James will have his usual explosion after saying he hadn’t seen James attempt any tomahawk dunks in practice.
“We’ll find out,” Walton said. “I know he has that explosion still. If we see it tonight, we’ll find out.”
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he never thought James was not going to suit up.
“That’s the worst-kept secret of maybe ever,” Rivers said of the Lakers initially ruling James out on Wednesday. “Maybe I’m not just a trusting soul. I just thought it was too obvious when yesterday out of nowhere he’s out. Usually you don’t hear it that early. I told our coaches, then he’s in!”
The Lakers desperately missed James and went 6-11 without their star. Walton’s team has been hit hard by injuries. The Lakers lost James and Rajon Rondo during that Christmas win over Golden State for an extended period, and then lost Lonzo Ball to a Grade 3 ankle sprain that will keep him out until at least late February.
Rondo returned last Thursday, but Kyle Kuzma (hip) missed the past two games. Kuzma and Josh Hart (knee tendinitis) will also play Thursday.