After being away from the team for a month due to what he later disclosed to be a serious tendon injury, Ames rejoined the Lakers on Sunday. For just the second time in his 20-year NBA career, he didn't start, but he still led the Lakers in scoring with 19 points in their 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer had not played since complaining of right foot pain following a victory at Dallas on February 26. After receiving the gloomy diagnosis, James pondered having surgery, but he ultimately decided to continue playing thanks in part to the tremendous performance of his teammates in the last minutes.
The doctors told James that he was "healing faster than anyone they've seen before with the injuries," according to James.
James sought a second opinion from an unidentified foot specialist, which was another aspect that influenced his choice.
James refused to identify the surgeon, only saying, "I went to the LeBron James of feet, and he told me I should (wait possible surgery)."
In an effort to help the Lakers avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in James' five seasons in Los Angeles, James returned with eight games remaining in the regular season.
James claimed that his teammates provided him with motivation as he put in 12-hour workdays between recovery and training to return to the field of play.
Despite adding five new rotation players at the trade deadline, Los Angeles went 8-5 when James was out of the lineup, finally finding some cohesion during their drive.
James remarked, "The hell with the play-in, we genuinely can be a top-eight seed. They went 8-5 and certainly had a chance to." "That really altered my perspective regarding my intention to return and participate in this. I hesitate to even say that it altered my perspective. It simply improved everything I was trying to do, including my exercises, medical care, and everything else. They had such excellent basketball play. From being in a boot to emerging from the boot, I was just euphoric. You guys saw me standing on the sidelines, beaming with pride at the work the boys are doing.
Against the Bulls, the Lakers put on one of their worst games in a month, falling well down early and never recovering.
In his 20-year NBA career, James has only ever participated in a game as a reserve once, on December 11, 2007, while playing for Cleveland.
In his fifth season with the Lakers, James, 38, averages 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. On February 7, he eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's leading scorer, but he had only participated in three games since that momentous night.
James stated that he is unsure of whether he will require surgery following the season. involving the Lakers. On February 7, he eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's leading scorer, but he had only participated in three games since that momentous night.
James said he is unsure if he would require surgery after the season, but he anticipates having an MRI once he has finished playing for the summer. Even if he undergoes the operation, he claimed he would be fully recovered in time for training camp in the fall.
James kept the specifics of his recuperation under wraps on social media, and the Lakers gave scant updates on his status while he was away. He also missed five games earlier this season due to a torn left adductor, and throughout his stint with the Lakers, he has lost significant amounts of time due to injuries.
But, James is seeming healthy at a crucial time for the Lakers, who might finally have access to their entire squad for the games left in the stretch run.
D'Angelo Russell missed his second consecutive game due to a right hip ailment as James made his comeback. Because to injuries to both players, Russell and James have only appeared in two games together since the Lakers acquired Russell in a trade last month.
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