NEW YORK — LeBron James will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the New York Knicks, making his first appearance at Madison Square Garden in three years.
James sat out of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 121-104 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday because of “significant soreness” in his left foot, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham.
The four-time MVP once tweeted that his favorite part about New York City was playing in the Garden, and he’ll get a chance to do so again for the first time since January 2020. He missed last season’s game because of a suspension for a run-in with Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons and was sidelined for the game two years ago because of a high ankle sprain.
The 20-year vet needs 117 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for No. 1 on the NBA’s career scoring list.
Anthony Davis, who also was ruled out of the Nets game because of the right foot injury that cost him 20 games from mid-December to late January, also is available to face the Knicks, according to the Lakers.
Lakers starting point guard Patrick Beverley, who had five points on 1-for-8 shooting, three assists and four fouls in the loss to Brooklyn, is out against the Knicks because of left knee soreness, the team said.