Los Angeles Lakers fans feared the worst when LeBron James pulled up lame last Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers with what appeared to be a groin injury.
He was officially diagnosed with a strained left adductor and listed as day-to-day, and he has missed the team’s last two contests.
Regardless, fans had a flashback to James’ first season in L.A. when he suffered a groin injury that kept him out for five weeks and torpedoed its season.
But the Lakers have had four full days off after their win on Sunday over the Brooklyn Nets, and it has given the four-time MVP the opportunity to rest and recuperate.
There’s a real chance he will return on Friday versus the Detroit Pistons, as he has been upgraded to questionable for that contest.
LeBron James has been upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game against the Pistons, per the Lakers.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 17, 2022
Head coach Darvin Ham said James “looked great” during the Lakers’ Thursday practice.
Via Lakers Nation:
“LeBron looked great,” Ham added. “We didn’t have any contact today but he was moving around well. Running and jumping well, so we’ll see. He’ll be listed as questionable but we’ll see how the rest of the day goes and tomorrow goes leading up to the game.”
James may not be the only player who will return to game action for L.A. Guard Dennis Schroder and center Thomas Bryant, both of whom were signed as free agents over the summer, are expected to make their regular season debuts on Friday.