“We actually can be a top-6 seed”- LeBron James reveals real reason for returning earlier than expected
LeBron James returned to the LA Lakers lineup in their 118-108 home loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. The four-time MVP made a shocking return after multiple reports suggested he would return to play the final three games of the regular season.
James sustained a torn tendon in his right foot during the Lakers' 111-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks on February 26th. The injury took longer than expected to heal and could've forced him to miss the regular season.
However, the Lakers' inspiring play and the chance to be the sixth seed after they reshuffled their roster at the trade deadline saw James do everything necessary to make a comeback this soon. James reflected on his rehab and quick return, saying (via Spectrum SportsNet):
"We go 8-5 and now we're sitting at a chance to be able to, 'Hell with with play-in, we actually can be a top-six seed,' that definitely changed my mindset on me coming back and trying to be a part of this... I don't wanna say changed my mindset, it just enhanced what I was trying to as far as my workouts and treatment went."
"When the doctors told me I was healing faster than anybody before they've seen with the injury." @KingJames' response to when he knew he would return from his foot injury. https://t.co/YU0nqhkobj
LeBron James revealed multiple doctors suggested he should undergo surgery to recover from the injury. However, he hilariously said he went to "LeBron James of feet" (another doctor), who said it wasn't necessary. A surgery would've ended James' season and hampered LA's playoff and championship aspirations.
The LA Lakers went 8-5 in his absence and reached the .500 mark after their 116-111 win over the OKC Thunder on March 25th. That closed the gap between them and the fourth (-2.5 games), fifth (-2 games) and sixth seed (-2 games). LA's rise in the standings motivated James to push for a surprise return with eight games left.
LeBron James comes off the bench on return in loss against Chicago
LeBron James went through a rusty start but overcame his shooting struggles. James tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and five turnovers, shooting 6-of-11 and box +/- of +4 in 29 minutes.
However, the result wasn't what the Lakers expected, losing the game by 10 points. LA fell behind by as many as 21 points at one stage. The Lakers kept fighting back, but the Bulls' early advantage due to their clinical shooting made life difficult for LA to overturn that deficit.
LeBron James gets a standing ovation as he checks in for the Lakers 👏
It's only the second time he's EVER come off the bench in his NBA career. https://t.co/wiUFIGVbXA
Chicago shot 60.0% from the floor to the Lakers' 54.1% in the first half. The Lakers matched the Bulls' efforts in the second, but it was too late. LA had six players in double digits. However, no one crossed the 20-point mark.
Meanwhile, Zach LaVine got things going for the Bulls, tallying 32 points, while four other players scored over 10. The Lakers struggled to take care of the rock, committing 18 turnovers. That was another major reason for their loss.
The Lakers dropped to one game behind the .500 mark at 37-38, seeded ninth in the Western Conference. The Lakers are now two games behind the sixth-seeded Warriors. Nevertheless, LeBron James is back. If he can continue to find his rhythm at this rate, the team's chances of registering a winning record in their last seven games and finishing in the top-six remain bright.