LeBron James labelled his return from a six-week injury absence as a "good start" despite the Los Angeles Lakers falling to defeat against the Sacramento Kings.
Superstar James endured the longest injury-related layoff of his career and sat out 20 games due to an ankle sprain.
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Afforded 32 minutes of action, James returned 16 points from six-of-12 shooting, to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. There were also two steals and five turnovers.
James even had the chance to snatch victory at the death but his three-pointer with a little under three seconds remaining missed, and the Kings added a couple of free-throws to run out 110-106 winners.
The four-time MVP spoke of his desperation to get back on the court.
"For my first game in six weeks, I felt okay. As far as my wind, I felt pretty good. As far as my ankle, it was a little tight at times, obviously," he said.
"But I came out unscathed and pretty good. So, it's a good start. It's been urgency for me to get back ever since I got injured.
"So, that's just who I am. You guys could have seen the logging of the minutes and hours per day that I was doing as far as rehab and treatment, it was a lot more than I slept.
Final. pic.twitter.com/Y45FpzxAe1
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 1, 2021
"So, over the last six weeks, that's all I've been doing, is having an urgency to get back and play.
"I knew I wasn't going to get back to 100 per cent. It's impossible. I don't think I will ever get back to 100 per cent in my career."
The Lakers have largely toiled in the absence of James, while team-mate Anthony Davis only recently returned for a Los Angeles side blighted by fitness issues this season.
They have now lost five of their previous six games and their form over the past 10 reads 3-7.
The defending champions may not be in title-winning form with the playoffs looming but James insists the team are ready to meet the challenge head on.
"It's only nine games left," James said.
"It's been a hell of a season, obviously. But we look forward to the challenge. It is what it is. This is the season, and we've got to make the most out of it."
