Lakers get ecstatic news as LeBron James’ return is imminent

Los Angeles Lakers fans will be ecstatic about the latest LeBron James update.

Behold, Los Angeles Lakers fans: You savior is (almost) risen!

Updates on LeBron James have been periodic over the last few weeks since he’s been sidelined by a high ankle sprain, but it appears his return is imminent.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, James will test his ankle Friday night for the team’s home contest against the Sacramento Kings as a game-time decision. If all goes well, he could make his long-awaited return from the longest injury absence of his Hall-of-Fame career.

If it doesn’t happen on Friday against the Kings and he’s still unable to go, he’s likely to return on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors.

UPDATE: LeBron James will return to action in Friday’s game against the Kings after all.

LeBron James’ return is nearly here

King James has been sidelined since March 20, marking more than a month on the sidelines for one of the NBA‘s brightest superstars. The Lakers have felt his absence, especially with Anthony Davis also sidelined since Feb. 14 and only just returning to action recently.

Including the game against the Atlanta Hawks where LeBron went down, LA has lost 13 of its last 21 games, sliding from second in the Western Conference standings (with the league’s second-best record) all the way to fifth. The Lakers are even in danger of sliding to the 6-seed out West now, with the Dallas Mavericks only one game behind. The Portland Trail Blazers — and a dive into a play-in spot — are only two games back.

Thankfully, AD is back now and trying to shake off the rust, and it sounds like James will be back either Friday or Sunday night. That doesn’t leave the Lakers a lot of time to get into prime playoff shape and rhythm, but it does give them a few games to get right before the defending champions embark on another Finals quest.