LeBron James could play the last week of the regular season

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James is progressing towards a return from his right foot injury and there is growing optimism that the Los Angeles Lakers star could return to play “a few” games in the final week of the regular season, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

James, who suffered a tendon injury in his right foot nearly 3 1/2 weeks ago in Dallas on Feb. 26, has returned to on-court activity and is following a “gradual progression of basketball movement,” it said. the Lakers on Thursday.

The Lakers’ final three regular season games will all take place in Los Angeles against the LA Clippers on April 5, the Phoenix Suns on April 7 and the Utah Jazz on April 9.

Lakers point guard Dennis Schroder said last week that James is doing three workouts a day to prepare his body for the return.

When asked for more details on the nature of James’ workouts, Lakers coach Darvin Ham simply said, “They’re intense and they’re going well.”

The Lakers are currently No. 10 in the Western Conference and sit last in the qualifying tournament with nine games remaining.

However, they are only a game and a half behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 seed, which would mean a guaranteed spot in the first round if LA can reach that spot in the standings.

James was averaging 29.5 points on 50.1 percent shooting, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game before the injury — unprecedented output for a player in his 20th NBA season.

The Lakers have stayed afloat without him, going 7-5 since being sidelined, including winning their last two games.