LeBron James was reportedly playing in the postseason with a torn tendon in his right foot that could require surgery.
If he undergoes surgery, James would need two months to recover.
However, The Athletic notes he’d be ready for training camp next season.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a Laker foul during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals at Crypto.com Arena May 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Harry How/Getty Images)
The 38-year-old injured his foot when his Los Angeles Lakers were 29-33 and out of the playoff race. James could be seen saying he “heard a pop.”
He missed 13 games. But in his absence and upon his return, the Lakers got hot, and they earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Lakers defeated the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs, then took down the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
They were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals.
LeBron James on the Lakers (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
James averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest in the playoffs. He put up 27.8 points in the sweep against Denver, including a 40-spot in the final game of the Lakers’ season.
The NBA’s all-time scoring leader created a stir when he seemed to hint he was contemplating retiring.
“We’ll see what happens going forward,” James said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.
“I guess I’ll reflect on my career when I’m done, but I don’t know. The only thing I concern myself with is being available to my teammates, and I don’t like the fact that I didn’t play as many games as I would have liked because of injury. That’s the only thing I care about, is being available to my teammates.”
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans April 1, 2022, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
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If he doesn’t retire, James will play in his 21st NBA season later this year.
