LeBron James nearing return to Lakers, will be a game-time decision vs. Bulls on Saturday: Report

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is a game-time decision ahead of Saturday night’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. James has been out since March 8 with a groin strain.

Per McMenamin, James is listed as questionable, but will warm up and be a game-time decision. James began on-court workouts last Sunday, and ESPN’s Shams Charania said the team would be cautious with his return.

It has been an up-and-down experience for the Lakers since losing James — starting power forward Rui Hachimura is also still out with a knee injury — and the direction has mostly depended on Luka Dončić. They are 3-1 in games since James’ injury when Dončić plays, with the lone loss being against the Milwaukee Bucks in which their entire starting frontcourt was out. They are 0-2 in the games Dončić has missed.

The Lakers are coming off a blowout loss Thursday in which Austin Reaves was out in addition to James, Dončić and Hachimura. That group represents the Lakers’ top four scorers. Not coincidentally, James’ son Bronny posted a career high in points with 17 in that game.

With only 13 games left on their regular-season schedule, Los Angeles needs its players to get healthy soon if it wants a chance to play together before the NBA playoffs begin.

In 58 games this season, James is averaging 25 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 52% from the floor (and 38% on 3-pointers). He’d scored 25 or more points in eight of his past 10 games while the Lakers had won eight consecutive contests before their March 8 loss to Boston.

The Lakers are 43-26 and sit in third place in the Western Conference.