LeBron James has slammed reports that a target date has been set for a return to action following the ankle injury he sustained in February.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has not played since picking up the injury against Dallas, with various reports suggesting he could be in line to return before the end of the regular season.
However James hit back at those claims on Twitter on Thursday, saying: "There wasn't an evaluation today and there hasn't been any target date for my return. I'm just working around the clock, every day (3X a day) to give myself to best chance of coming back full strength whenever that is. God bless y'all sources. I speak for myself!"
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ESPN was the first to report that, barring any serious hiccups to his rehabilitation, James was hoping to make his return for the final few games of the season.
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TNT and The Athletic then followed suit with Chris Haynes and Shams Charania echoing that sentiment.
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The Lakers talisman has been sat on the side-lines nursing a tendon injury he sustained in the 111-108 win against the Mavericks in late February. James landed awkwardly on it after attempting a layup and while grimacing on the floor, uttered that he'd "heard it pop".
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LeBron James was seen to clearly say he heard something pop when he injured his ankle in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. He did however continue on with the game shortly after
James finished the quarter, to his own detriment, unbeknownst to coach Darvin Ham, and was seen limping around the locker room. He would later be pictured donning a medical boot on the same foot.
Since then, the Lakers have battled for a chance to feature in the play-in tournament without him, racking up a 7-6 record in his absence, with Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves stepping up to carry the offence.
While the former has stepped up admirably and is averaging 26.3 points per game, the latter has quickly become a fan-favourite, even earning plaudits from James himself.
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But as the postseason nears, the Lakers won't want to be navigating playoff territory without their big man. They currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, with the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder breathing down their necks.
There are six games remaining in the regular season before the finals standings are calculated, and if this franchise is to offer James a chance at another championship title, then it'll rely on his fitness and health in the upcoming week.
