LeBron James returned to the court for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, coming off the bench to score 19 points in the team’s 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
James’s condition had changed before the game against the Bulls. He had been sidelined for about a month with a foot injury he suffered in February. He told reporters that he considered surgery after he was diagnosed with a major tendon injury.
He said his doctors told him he was «healing faster than anyone they’ve ever seen with the injury.» She added that she obtained a third opinion from an unnamed foot doctor.
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Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, #8, drives to the basket between Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, and forward Anthony Davis during the second half of a Chicago Bulls basketball game the NBA, on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
«Because I went to the LeBron James for the feet,» he said in response to a question about why he didn’t get surgery. «And he told me that he shouldn’t.»
James declined to name the authorizing physician.
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He added that if he decides to have surgery in the offseason, the media won’t know because «I don’t talk to you in the offseason.»
Los Angeles got James back with eight games remaining in the season as they hope to avoid missing the postseason for the second straight year. The Lakers were 8-5 in his absence.
«They’re 8-5 and obviously had a chance to…fuck the play-in, we can actually make the top eight,» James said. «It definitely changed my mindset about going back and trying to be a part of this. Well, I don’t even want to say it changed my mindset.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket past Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, #12, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
«It just enhanced what I was trying to do as far as my workouts, as far as my treatment and everything. They played some great basketball. I was ecstatic, from when I was in a boot to when I came out of the boot, you guys saw me at the margin, so happy for what they’re doing.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
James had only come off the bench once in his 20-year career. He arrived in December 2007 when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Associated Press contributed to this report.