Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is still “weeks away” from returning to action, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported, citing sources.
James suffered a high ankle sprain one month ago (March 20) in a game against the Atlanta Hawks and hasn’t played since. Coach Frank Vogel did tell reporters that James has returned to at least some activity — but the process is slow.
“Just trying to do a little bit more with his activity each day,” Vogel said prior to the Lakers’ 111-97 home loss to the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz on Monday.
The Lakers (35-23) currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division and fifth overall in the West. They are just 17-13 at home.
Along with James, Vogel issued an update on fellow star Anthony Davis, out with a calf strain and Achilles tendonitis. That news seemed to be a bit more promising.
“The biggest thing is conditioning right now,” Vogel said. “He’s healthy. But having not played and not really being able to ramp up his physical on-court activity over the last two months, it’s going to take some time before he gets his wind under him and obviously, that’s the biggest thing.
“Because if his legs aren’t under him, we don’t want him to be at risk for re-aggravation of the injury or another injury. We want to keep a close eye on that.”
