LeBron James played through a torn foot tendon for the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA playoffs.
James, 38, led the Lakers to the Western Conference finals, only to be swept by the Denver Nuggets. To reach that point of the postseason, LA overcame the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament before eliminating the second-seed Memphis Grizzlies and defending champion Golden State Warriors before falling short of a spot in the NBA Finals.
James hinted that after his season ended in Game Four in Southern California, that he is considering retiring from basketball during the offseason. The NBA 's all-time leading scorer now has another decision about whether to go under the knife or hope his foot heals without intervention.
The Athletic's Shams Charania offered an injury update via The Pat McAfee Show, stating James played through the issue over the last few months, suggesting the problem became apparent during the latter stages of the regular season.
James played the last eight games of the 82 as the Lakers won six to secure their play-in spot and home-court advantage in the play-in tournament. Before that, he was out for a month with a torn tendon in his right foot suffered after driving during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
It now seems that the initial tear never fully healed. Instead, James played through the pain barrier across the final 25 games of the Lakers' season.
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After returning to the court in late March following a month long absence, James revealed he visited the "LeBron James of feet," who told him to delay surgically repairing the tendon. He also claimed the unnamed doctor told him he was healing from the injury quicker than anyone he had seen before.
Whether now is the time for surgery remains to be seen. The Athletic say the injured foot needs a new evaluation and that going under the knife is possibly needed to get his body right again.
Any surgical intervention would reportedly mean James is required to rehabilitate for two months before returning to play. The 2023/24 NBA season will start in October.
Playing through an injury makes James' feats during the postseason in Year 20 even more remarkable, having started all 16 of their playoff games, averaging 38.7 minutes per night.
James was productive during that time, averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He also looked after the ball better than ever, averaging just 2.5 turnovers a game, fewer than during any previous postseason.
Whether it will also end up being the four-time NBA champion's final playoff campaign remains to be seen. Working through this injury is only another added headache for James as he weighs up making the ultimate decision for the first time in his two-decade-long career.
