LeBron James says two doctors recommended season-ending surgery on a torn tendon in his right foot, but he has decided to finish the season on the court with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James returned to the Lakers on Sunday after a month-long absence and what he revealed was a significant tendon injury. He was not in the starting lineup for only the second time in his 20-year NBA career, but he still led the Lakers with 19 points in a 118–108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The NBA’s career scoring leader had not played since February 26, when he complained of pain in his right foot following a win at Dallas. James considered surgery after receiving the dire diagnosis, but his teammates’ outstanding play down the stretch and his own inner determination contributed to his decision to play on.
James also said that his doctors told him that he was “recovering faster than anyone I’ve seen before from injury.”
Another factor contributed to his decision: James got a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.
“I went to LeBron James’ foot, and he told me I should (delay the possible surgery),” James said, declining to name the doctor.
James returned eight games into the regular season for the Lakers as they attempt to avoid missing the playoffs for the second year in a row and the third time in James’ five seasons in Los Angeles.
James said he was inspired by his teammates while he put in 12-hour workdays between rehab and training to get back in action. Los Angeles went 8–5 while James held out despite adding five new rotation players around the trade deadline, finally developing some chemistry during their push.
“They go 8-5 and obviously they had a chance — hell with the play-ins, we might actually get a top-eight seed,” James said. “It definitely changed my mindset to try and come back and be a part of it. Well, I don’t even want to say (it) changed my mindset. It increased as far as I was trying to do my workouts, as far as my treatments and everything. He played such good basketball. I was very happy, from being in my boot to getting out of the boot, you guys see me on the sideline, guys very happy with what I’m doing.
The Lakers had one of their worst performances in over a month against the Bulls, falling behind by a large early margin and never closing the gap.
James played in a game as a reserve only once in his 20-year NBA career, doing so on December 11, 2007, against Cleveland.
The 38-year-old James is averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in his fifth season with the Lakers. He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s top scorer on February 7 but had played only three games since that historic night.
James said he doesn’t know whether he will need surgery after the season, but he expects to have an MRI exam after he can play for the summer. He said that even if he undergoes surgery, he will be at full strength for training camp in the fall.
The Lakers provided few updates on James’ condition during his absence, and James kept details of his recovery tight-lipped on social media. He missed five games earlier this season with a strained left adductor and was plagued by the injury every entire season during his time with the Lakers.
But James is looking healthy at a crucial point for the Lakers, who could finally have their entire roster available for the final game of the stretch run.
When James returned, D’Angelo Russell missed his second straight game due to a right hip injury. Russell and James have played only two games together since the Lakers acquired Russell in a trade last month due to injuries to both players.