The eventual return of LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers appears to be closer than ever.
Head coach JJ Redick and NBA insiders have given injury updates on the star, who is now sidelined for nearly two months, but the star has yet to make many comments himself about a potential return.
However, most recently, James hinted at his season debut coming rather soon. In a post on his Instagram story, the 21-time All-Star posted a picture of his signature shoes, along with an hourglass emoji.
Whenever he does set foot on the court, James will become the first player in NBA history to play 23 seasons. While he isn’t the same player in Miami, Cleveland, or even his first few seasons with the Lakers, his averages last season of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 51.3% shooting remain remarkable considering his age.
New LeBron James Injury Update
In the wake of his absence, it has been Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves who have been starring in Los Angeles through 12 games. The duo is performing at such a level that questions have been raised about what the team will look like when James does return, but most expectations are that their floor and ceiling will elevate with the four-time Finals MVP back in the rotation.
But right now, he’s still out. James’ post signifies an imminent return, though no date has yet been set, but it isn’t the only update on the star that bodes well for the Lakers.
Team insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN recently reported James has started practicing with the Lakers’ G-League affiliate. Following that news, Redick told reporters that the star ‘was moving well’ in what was his first five-on-five action since his injury was announced.
“He was able to participate in the practice,” Redick added. “Got up and down a little bit with just some, like, warmup transition drills and progressed to 5-on-5 in the half court, and got, I think about 12 to 15 possessions of live 5-on-5 contact.”
After back-to-back days getting reps with the South Bay Lakers, McMenamin once again reported James had no ‘residual effects’ from his original on-court workout with the team, in what was described as his ‘first 5-on-5 play since the first round of the playoffs, more than six months ago,’ according to the insider.
Throughout the entire recovery process, the Lakers have been patient with bringing back the superstar. While the mid-November timeline has now approached, his recent post on Instagram is at least a positive sign that the wait could be almost over.
Lakers Rookie Closer Towards Making His Debut Off Injury
While James has yet to log any minutes in what will mark the longest career in NBA history, another player on the Lakers has yet to suit up this season, that being rookie Adou Thiero.
The forward out of Arkansas has been dealing with a serious knee injury for the past few months, and though he originally was expected back during the preseason, the team has also taken a careful approach to his recovery.
However, after being listed through the first three weeks of the season as ‘out’, the Lakers listed Thiero as questionable for their upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Now, the athletic wing is listed as ‘probable‘ for what could be his debut in an NBA Cup game.
Though he is yet to step foot on the court, with previously minimal updates on his status, Thiero has received strong praise from both the Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka and his former college head coach, John Calipari.
Pelinka compared him to OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks, saying he has the same ‘tools’ as the defensive-minded champ to turn into a similar player. Calipari called Thiero a playoff-type player, as he was selected 36th overall and acquired by Los Angeles on draft night.
It is hard to say if Redick will use Thiero in any meaningful minutes to begin his career, but last year, rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James got decent playing time, so a precedent is there. Thiero also offers a unique defensive skillset that the Lakers would desperately need, so if he does play, the chance of him getting solid action is real.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post LeBron James Breaks Silence With Cryptic Injury Update Post appeared first on Heavy Sports.