Anthony Davis and LeBron James Could Return in Three Weeks

The Los Angeles Lakers could be getting much-needed help soon.

With the NBA season heading to its home stretch and the teams battling for playoff position, the defending NBA champions are currently skidding. After starting the season as one of the top teams in the league, the Lakers have been reeling in the team standings with injuries shutting down their top two players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Ever since the two went down, the Lakers have been cautious about bringing them back and have not given any timetable for their return. But in a recent report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, both James and AD are close to returning to action, with Davis possibly returning ahead of James.

Close to Returning

Davis may be able to return within the next seven to ten days, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. AD is scheduled to be evaluated by team doctors on Thursday when the defending champions come home from their current road trip. AD has not played since February 14th due to a calf strain and tendinosis in his right leg.

Sources: Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis could return in 10-14 days, with LeBron James close be… – via @ESPN App https://t.co/RMkGzHBmPp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2021

Two weeks ago, Davis cleared an important hurdle when he received clearance to proceed with on-court activities.AD was putting up his usual All-Star numbers before he got hurt, averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in 23 total games played.

With James also hurt, players like Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder have stepped up big time for the Lake Show but obviously, the absence of its top 2 players has been too much, even for the defending NBA champions.

Lakers Are 33-20

The Lakers have dropped six out of their last 11 games since James last played and the team is reeling in the team standings. Following their win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, the Lakers are 33-20 in the Western Conference and sitting in fifth place. They are however just 2.5 games behind the third-seeded Clippers so there’s still a chance they move up the ladder.

Lakers are now 33-20 for the season.

They are 5-6 since the LeBron injury.

3-2 on the current 7-game road trip.

— LAKERFANATICS (@LAKERFANATICS) April 11, 2021

However, the more important thing for them right now is to hold the fort and avoid falling below sixth place, or else they will still have to play in the Play-in Tournament for the 7th and 8th seeds. Los Angeles is currently three games up on 7th seeded Dallas.

If they get their stars back in three weeks, then they will be returning just in time for a brutal stretch in the team’s regular season schedule. Beginning May 2, the Lakers have a five-game span where they play the Clippers in back-to-back games, then the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns once each. Should James and Davis play during that stretch, it could be a gauge of how far this team goes in the postseason.

Despite their current woes, the best NBA betting sites are still high on the Lakers because they think that the Purple and Gold can still turn things around when their superstars return. The Lakers acquired big man Andre Drummond after the trade deadline via the buyout market and he is expected to bolster an already dominant frontline led by James and Davis.