In Sunday’s 118-108 home defeat to Chicago, superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers played off the bench.
In just under 30 minutes of play, he recorded a final tally of 19 points and 8 boards. In his 20-year NBA tenure, James had only ever participated in a game as a substitute once, on December 11, 2007, while playing for Cleveland.
James, who has been sidelined since Feb. 26 because of a right foot tendon injury, started playing again on Thursday in an effort to make the 2022–23 season’s closing two weeks of action.
His return coincides with a crucial period in Los Angeles’ struggle to maintain its playoff aspirations. The Lakers, who are presently 37-38, are only two games behind the No. 6-seeded Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference standings.
Lebron James has missed games due to injury in each full season since joining the Lakers, including five games earlier this year due to a torn left adductor.
