NBA News: Will LeBron James Play vs. Clippers? Injury Update For Lakers Star

The ailing Los Angeles Lakers are at the center of the NBA world once again, thanks to emerging trade rumors about New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis. Perhaps the most important question about the Lakers right now, however, is when will LeBron James play again?

It could be before the end of the week, according to a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. A source reportedly told McMenamin that the Lakers hope James can return for Thursday’s contest against their same-city rival, the Los Angeles Clippers.

“Depends on these next couple of days,” the source told McMenamin.

James seems unlikely to play on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. That game could see the return of another injured superstar, as 76ers guard Jimmy Butler could come back from a wrist injury on Tuesday.

For James, it seems his return will come sooner rather than later. The four-time NBA MVP said it was “almost that time again” in an Instagram caption posted on Monday.

His return has seemed imminent for a number of days now, as James participated in contact practice drills for the first time since the injury over the weekend. He missed the next night’s game against the Phoenix Suns, which resulted in a rare win for the Lakers without James.

Los Angeles is only 6-10 since James injured his groin on Christmas Day. At 26-24, the Lakers would actually miss the playoffs if the regular season ended today. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference behind the Clippers. The Lakers are a full 10 games back from first place, currently held by the resurgent Golden State Warriors.

When he has been on the court this year, James has been as big an addition to the Lakers as expected when he signed there this past offseason. He has averaged 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 51.8 percent overall and 35.6 percent from three.

James is also on pace to play the fewest minutes per game of his career, averaging just 34.6 this season. He has the second most career minutes logged of any active player, behind Dirk Nowitzki.