Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James is inching closer to a return.
The team announced Wednesday that the four-time NBA MVP had been cleared to return to practice next week.
James, 34, will not travel with the team for its upcoming two-game road trip, which includes stops in Oklahoma City and Houston. The team returns home to host the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 21, but it’s unclear as to whether or not the 14-time all-star will be ready for the tail end of that tough stretch.
What is clear, however, is just how badly this team needs James on the floor.
Since James went down on Christmas Day with a groin injury, the Lakers have gone 4-7, including losses to the lowly New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. James, who has only missed the playoffs twice in his 15-year career, has averaged 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 34 games this season.
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