James said his doctors told him that he was “healing faster than anybody they’ve seen before with the injury.” Additionally, another factor contributed to his decision: James got a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.
“I went to the LeBron James of feet, and he told me I should (delay possible surgery),” James said, declining to name the doctor.
James hadn’t played since Feb. 26 due to a right foot tendon injury, but he resumed on-court activity on Thursday in hopes of getting back in the lineup for the final two weeks of the 2022-23 season.
“They go 8-5 and obviously had a chance to — the hell with the Play-In [Tournament], we actually can be a top-eight seed,” James said.
“It definitely changed my mindset on me coming back and trying to be a part of this.
Well, I don’t even want to say (it) changed my mindset.
The Lakers (37-38) have seven games left in their left season and are attempting to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season (and the third time in James’ five seasons in Los Angeles).
The current No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers would be in the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, is averaging a team-best 29.5 points along with 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game this season.
James said he doesn’t know whether he’ll need surgery after the season, but he expects to have an MRI exam after he’s done playing for the summer.
He said he would be at full strength for training camp in the fall even if he has the surgery.
He also missed five games earlier this season with a strained left adductor, and he has had lengthy injury absences in every full season during his time with the Lakers.
Russell and James have played in only two games together since the Lakers acquired Russell in a trade last month because of injury absences for both players.
