Lakers update LeBron James to skeptical for Sunday

LeBron James may be back sooner than anyone else thought.

After insisting Thursday that he had no "target date" for a go back to play and "I speak for myself" regarding his best foot tendon injury, James was updated Saturday to "doubtful" for Sunday's game versus the Chicago Bulls-- his very first status modification in almost a month.

James has actually missed 13 successive games with the injury, which he exacerbated Feb. 26 against the Dallas Mavericks. James' persistence on playing through the injury in that roadway win signifies his stubbornness when it comes to gritting through pain-- and possibly foreshadowing for his resurgence to action.

Teammates and James himself have stated he's exercising three times a day in his efforts to return. The Lakers stated Thursday that he had actually been authorized for basketball activities, and further media reports suggested he may return in the last week of the season. To date, James has only been seen openly doing area shooting. On Friday following a workout, James was using a knee-high sleeve on his right lower leg.

The Lakers have 8 games remaining on the schedule. Since Saturday afternoon, the 37-37 Lakers were in 8th in the West, among the preferred play-in spots. The team has gone 8-5 with James sidelined.

When healthy, James has been one of the group's most efficient players. At 38, he's averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and shooting 50.1% from the field. Injuries have been a barrier during his Lakers' tenure: This season, he's played just 47 of 74 possible video games.

The Lakers are likewise hoping another starter is readily available versus the Bulls: After missing out on Friday's video game with best hip discomfort, D'Angelo Russell was noted as questionable for Sunday.