LeBron James made his return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup on Saturday afternoon in a huge road win over the Indiana Pacers.
Hoping to avoid the play-in tournament at all costs, LeBron James made his triumphant return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup vs. the Indiana Pacers on Saturday afternoon.
James had only appeared in two games since initially injuring his ankle vs. the Atlanta Hawks on March 20. We are talking about missing 26 of the Lakers’ last 28 games. In his extended absence, the Lakers saw themselves stumble down the Western Conference standings. The Lakers are hoping to get the last spot into the playoff field without having to play in the play-in tournament.
Los Angeles improved to 41-30 on the year with a 122-115 win over the Pacers in Indianapolis.
LeBron's back and finishing lobs! 💥@Lakers 18@Pacers 12 pic.twitter.com/vpsHveJVp3
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2021
LeBron James returns to Los Angeles Lakers lineup in win over Indiana Pacers
James played 28 minutes in his Lakers return, scoring 24 points, with eight assists and seven rebounds. You know those 24 points and eight assists were for the late Kobe Bryant, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday evening.
LeBron closed out the Pacers in his first game back 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 15, 2021
Finished with 24 PTS, 8 AST, 7 REB pic.twitter.com/m1yIWhzJZJ
Lakers look GREAT. LeBron looks 100% GREAT. AD and DreDrum look unstoppably GREAT. Lakers are BACK.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 15, 2021
How LeBron and the Lakers pulling up to the playoffs pic.twitter.com/ENae9QLkTV
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 15, 2021
We all know who The REAL MVP is!
— LeHim James (@emanuelgodina) May 15, 2021
LeBron James pic.twitter.com/zHZl06S1os
For the time being, this gives the Lakers an identical record with the Portland Trail Blazers, the other team fighting for the No. 6 seed.
Reminder: LeBron James is still the best player in the world.
— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) May 15, 2021
LeBron scored 24 points on the day Kobe is going into the hall of fame
— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) May 15, 2021
The #NBA seeing Lebron back and almost touching the rim with his head. pic.twitter.com/aitNG37bgJ
— Alejandro Ortiz (@AlejandroON16) May 15, 2021
LeBron was moving well and the starters looked great, even with the guards not providing much on offense. That's exactly the style of play I've been looking forward to.
— Laker Film Room (@LakerFilmRoom) May 15, 2021
If the Lakers want to avoid the play-in tournament, they need to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans on the road Sunday and hope the Trail Blazers fall at home to the Denver Nuggets to avoid any potential tie-breaking scenario.
Lebron’s ankle... no problem with that bang bang he just caught. Playoffs about to get real.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) May 15, 2021
Imagine being the #1 or #2 seed in the Western Conference and having to play THIS DUDE LeBron in the first round🤣👑🤣 pic.twitter.com/9gETQYWix8
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) May 15, 2021
LeBron reeled off seven straight points to put the Pacers away. Didn't you miss seeing him play?
— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) May 15, 2021
Even if he is not at 100 percent, James played very well in his return to the Lakers lineup Saturday.