Skip to main content

LeBron James, Rui Hachimura might return for Lakers’ game vs. Bulls


LOS ANGELES — Starting forwards LeBron James and Rui Hachimura could return for the Lakers' home game against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

James and Hachimura were upgraded to questionable on the team's Friday evening injury report after missing the last several games.

The 40-year-old James missed the previous seven games because of a strained left groin injury he suffered late in the March 8 road loss to the Boston Celtics.

The four-time league MVP averaged 25 points (while shooting 51.7% from the field, 38.4% from 3-point range), 8.5 assists and 8.2 rebounds while playing 58 of 62 games before missing time with the groin ailment. James and Denver Nuggets reigning MVP Nikola Jokic are the only players in the NBA averaging at least 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Hachimura missed 10 consecutive games of left patellar tendinopathy. He hasn't played since the Feb. 27 home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hachimura is averaging 13.3 points (while shooting 50.6% from the field, 41% from 3-point range) and 5.2 rebounds in 50 games (all starts).

The Lakers went 7-5 without Hachimura and 3-4 without James. That included a 3-3 stretch of six games in eight days that concluded with Thursday's blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks – a game Luka Doncic (sprained right ankle), Austin Reaves (sprained right ankle), Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle injury management) and Jarred Vanderbilt (strained right groin) also were unavailable for.

Doncic, Reaves, Finney-Smith and Vanderbilt were listed as probable for Saturday's game, which is the final game of a five-game homestand before a four-game trip.

BULLS AT LAKERS

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV/radio: Spectrum SportsNet/710 AM

Originally Published: March 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM PDT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking Down the Differences Between LeBron James and Kevin Durant - Bleacher Report

LeBron James and Kevin Durant are being coined as "the future of the NBA 's next generation." That is certainly true, but they aren't exactly on the same level. LeBron and Durant are two different players, who bring varying skills to different facets of the game. Instead of just comparing them in a "who's the best" fashion, let's take a minute and break down which player excels in each and every facet of the game of basketball. Ahead is a breakdown of the differences that exist between LeBron and Durant.  Scoring Ronald Martinez/Getty Images LeBron 2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 27.1 points, 53.1 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 77.1 FT% Durant 2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 28.0 points, 49.6 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 86.0 FT% Scoring is what Kevin Durant does. It's not only his specialty, it's also what makes him such a dangerous and elite player. With that being said, LeBron isn't exactly a slouch on the offensive side of the...

NBA Monday Morning Shootaround: LeBron James, The Hunger Games, and More - Bleacher Report

Welcome to the "Monday Morning Shootaround," Bleacher Report's recap of the weekend that was in the NBA. Along with getting you caught up on the weekend’s playoff action, we’ll give you a sneak preview of what could potentially be the greatest basketball book of all time, show you the best 70-year-old playground superstar ever, and tell you about a young star that just might choose religion over the fame and fortune of the NBA. The Opening Tip * ABC cameras caught LeBron James reading The Hunger Games before the Miami Heat played the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, the Miami Heat small forward proceeded to go into full Katniss Everdeen mode to the tune of 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Heat pulled out a hard-fought 101-93 victory. After a slow start, Heat guard Dwyane Wade finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists of his own. But Sunday afternoon was all about James and his gaudy numbers, virtually all of which we...

LeBron James' 12 Hall of Fame teammates

LeBron James is one of the best to ever play in the NBA. He has set multiple records and accomplished a handful of milestones, capped off by the NBA All-Time scoring record , four NBA championships, four Finals MVPs, four NBA MVPs, one NBA Cup title, and one NBA Cup MVP. Throughout his career, he's played with five players that are in the Basketball Hall of Fame and seven others that will likely join James in the Hall. Here is a look at LeBron James' 12 Hall of Fame teammates. Check out the gallery. Dwyane Wade Russ Isabella-Imagn Images Hall of Fame status: Inducted in 2023 Dwyane Wade has arguably got to be James' best teammate throughout his career. With Wade in his corner, they both led the Miami Heat to back-to-back NBA championships in four consecutive Finals appearances. Having these two on the same team was a nightmare to stop, especially in transition. They went together like peanut butter and jelly. Chris Bosh Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Hall of ...