EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — LeBron James’ return appears imminent after he practiced fully with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, though it’s still unclear whether he will make his season debut Tuesday.
“It’s just been the same revolving doors, just repetition, rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing,” James said after practice. “Just trying to get back to where I feel like myself again. It’s great to be out here today.”
James had yet to practice with the Lakers after dealing with sciatic-nerve irritation this summer. He spoke afterward with a hoarse voice.
“My lungs feel like a newborn baby,” James said. “That’s the most important thing. I got to get my lungs back up to a grown man. My voice is already gone. One day back, barking out calls and assignments and stuff, getting my voice working again. Be a lot of tea and rest tonight.”
The Lakers host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, one option for James to make his season debut. The Lakers don’t play again until Sunday in Utah and could opt to give James three more practices before playing him.
“There’s a lot of factors that go into it. First of all, he’s going to have to build the wind to go play a basketball game. He’s still building that up,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “There’s only so much you can do during (return to practice) for the injury he had. So, that’s one factor. The schedule for sure is another factor. I know he’s itching to play and itching to return. What his minutes look like, that’s another factor. So, we’ll make a decision.
“We got to see how he responds to today and what he feels like tomorrow morning. But whenever it is, we’re excited to get him back.”
James’ workout Monday came after a stretch with the Lakers’ G-League team last week. Still, it’s the longest he’s ever had to wait to play a game at any level.
“It sucks. It definitely sucks,” he said. “Never in my life since I started playing the game of basketball have I ever not started the season, in my life. So it’s been a mind test, but I’m built for it, and (I’ve) been putting in the work, both mentally and physically, trying to get myself ready to rejoin the team.”
The Lakers have gone 10-4 without him, and James said he’s liked what he’s seen.
“Guys have just been, everybody enjoys being around each other and loves playing for one another,” he said. “A lot of guys are sacrificing. For me, just seeing ways I can fit in organically. Right off the top, I know ways I can help this team right away when I am put back in the lineup.”
