LeBron James is again, however it could take a couple of video games for the Los Angeles Lakers to change into totally operational.

James returned from the longest absence of his profession on Friday, scoring 16 factors on 6-of-12 capturing with eight rebounds, seven assists and 5 turnovers. Presumably crucial stat was his 31 minutes performed, which was third-highest on the staff.

James’ contributions weren’t sufficient for the Lakers to keep away from a 110-106 loss to the Sacramento Kings, although. The Lakers had an opportunity to tie or win the sport on a remaining possession with 5 seconds left, however a rushed 3-pointer from James clanked off the basket and into the Kings’ palms for the win:

Seven totally different Kings completed in double-figures to carry off the Lakers, with rookie Tyrese Haliburton main all scorers with 23 factors.

It took practically 1 / 4 for James to attain his first subject purpose, however he no less than seemed himself as he drove by way of the Kings protection.

James had been out since March 20 with a excessive ankle sprain, lacking 20 video games. That absence corresponded with a tumble down the standings for the Lakers, who have been additionally lacking Anthony Davis for a lot of the video games. The staff went 8-12 with out James, falling from second within the Western Convention on the time of his harm to fifth.

With James and Davis now again, the Lakers’ precedence over the subsequent three weeks will likely be staying wholesome and looking for a rhythm that had been silent for greater than two months. The combat for seeding stays an element although, because the Lakers sit only a half-game forward of the sixth-place Dallas Mavericks and one sport forward of the seventh-place Portland Path Blazers.

The NBA playoffs are scheduled to start on Might 22.

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