Shams Charania: Lakers Hoping LeBron James Can Return ‘Right Before Playoffs’

He could be out longer, The Athletic’s Shams Charania said in a clip provided by FanDuel TV.

“We don’t know when that will be,” Charania said of James. “Three weeks (until) re-evaluation for him, and even after that, I don’t know that the Lakers think he will be back in three weeks. It will likely be beyond that.

“And so you’re in the position that you hope he’s back right before the playoffs, or he gets back (for) the play-in.”

James was diagnosed with a right tendon injury on March 2. This comes during a season in which he has been in and out of the lineup, missing three games right before the All-Star break with left foot and ankle soreness. He was re-injured in the only game he’s played since early February.

James, 38, is averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 47 games, having set the NBA’s all-time scoring record just before the break. He is shooting 50 percent from the field and 31 percent on 3-pointers.

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