The Los Angeles Lakers are enduring their toughest stretch of the season, suffering their fourth straight loss-a season-high skid. Injuries have played a significant role in their struggles, with multiple key players sidelined.
LeBron James has been out since suffering a groin injury late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics. ESPN's Shams Charania previously reported a 1-2 week recovery timeline on March 9, leaving Lakers fans eager for updates on his return.
Rui Hachimura has also been sidelined since spraining his right knee in a Feb. 28 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, while center Jaxson Hayes has missed four consecutive games due to a knee injury sustained against the New York Knicks.
The Lakers were even more short-handed in their latest loss to the Denver Nuggets, as Luka Doncic was ruled out with ankle and knee issues.
With the team desperate for a turnaround, head coach JJ Redick provided a positive injury update when asked about possible return dates for James, Hachimura, and Hayes.
"They're all very close to returning," Redick told reporters Thursday night.
JJ Redick on Hayes/Hachimura/LeBron, possibly returning within the next week, whether it's two days or 7: "They're all very close to returning."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 15, 2025
The Lakers (40-25) have slipped from second to fifth in the Western Conference during this losing streak but remain just one game behind the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies (42-25) and two games back of the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets (43-25).
Before James' injury, the Lakers had won eight straight games and were one of the hottest teams in the league. Now, they're hoping to get healthy as they push through the final stretch of the regular season.
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This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM.