While the exact timeline is not known, LeBron James is expected to return this season as the Lakers push for a playoff spot.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, LA coach Darvin Ham offered the encouraging update three weeks after James suffered a tendon injury in his right foot.
Ham said as cited by Sports Central: 'We anticipate him coming back at some point [this season].
According to ESPN, James is expected to have his foot reevaluated by Lakers medical staff later this week. He is out of the walking boot he initially wore.
While the Lakers said James would be re-evaluated in three weeks following his February 26 injury, that timeline was always going to be optimistic in terms of when he'd actually return to the court.
And Ham's briefing came two days after a more pessimistic outlook from ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Windhorst said on his podcast: 'LeBron is not close to returning, from what I am told. 'I know that everybody said the three weeks but I think it was very clear three weeks is when he's going to get an official re-evaluation. 'It didn't mean he's coming back in three weeks. I know that LeBron has played through injuries in the past, I'm not 100 percent sure this is an injury you can play through.'
With James out, his Lakers teammates have stepped up, with the team fighting to a 6-5 record in the 11 games he's missed thus far.
In addition to Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell, second-year player Austin Reaves has been massive for the Lakers, averaging 17.7 points and 5.3 assists on 39.5 percent from deep with James sidelined.
Reaves set a career-high on Sunday with 35 points in a win vs. the Magic, and James loved the performance.
'AR YOU A BAD MUTHA...SHUT YO MOUTH!!! You toooooo TOUGH!!,' he wrote on Twitter.
Following the 111-105 win, the Lakers are tied for the ninth in the Western Conference with a 35-37 record.
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