LeBron James is expected to return from his high ankle sprain as soon as Friday's game against the Sacramento Kings.

James has been out since March 20th with the injury.

James plans to test the ankle and make a game-time decision. If James sits Friday's game, he's likely to return as soon as Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. 

LeBron James could return to game action from his high ankle sprain next week.

James could debut either on Monday against the Denver Nuggets, on Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers, or Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

James has missed the past 20 games.

“He’ll tell me when he’s ready,” Frank Vogel said. “He and the medical team will tell me when he’s ready. They’re having conversations about it each day. They’re monitoring his progression each day, seeing where he’s at and when he’s ready to play, he’ll play.”

The Los Angeles Lakers have just 10 games remaining before the start of the playoffs and have a 1-3 record since Anthony Davis returned from his injury.

"We control our own destiny," Davis told reporters on a postgame video conference. "So we have to start playing with a sense of desperation, even though we are in the playoffs as of right now. But we're not that far off from being in play-in games. So we've got to play with a sense of desperation, as well."

LeBron James is close to returning from a six-week absence due to a high ankle sprain.

"We've just got to look forward," Frank Vogel said. "We've got six out of our next eight at home, seven if you count the Clippers game, and we've got to put this trip behind us and continue to work on what we're doing."

Anthony Davis expressed the difficulty of re-establishing a chemistry with his teammates after returning from injury following the Los Angeles Lakers 108-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

"It's like you're starting over with the guys and just trying to find a connection with these guys again. They're trying to find a connection with me. So, it's like we're starting from zero, which is tough so late in the season," said Davis.

Davis has shot 7-of-29 in two games since returning from a nine-week injury layoff.

The Lakers are on a three-game losing streak and hold a 1.5 game lead over the Mavs for the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.

Dennis Schroder admitted that the team will need to talk about its on-court chemistry once LeBron James returns.

"We're going to talk about it. I think when Bron comes back, we're going to have a conversation as a team. Because our chemistry, like AD said, off the court is great. But on the court, we just got to turn it up some more."

Anthony Davis had four points and four rebounds in his first game back after having missed 30 games due to a calf and Achilles injury in his right leg.

Davis logged 16 minutes in the loss to the Mavs, while shooting 2-of-10 from the field.

Frank Vogel said he expected Davis to have a slow start as he worked through the rust. 

"He still needs to get his legs under him, as to be expected. You can't simulate NBA action on a practice court, so that's what tonight is going to be about. That's what the next few games are gonna be about.

"So we anticipate him having some rust and working out some timing while getting his legs back under him. But this is an important first step for sure," said Vogel following the game.

Anthony Davis will return to game action on Thursday provided he continues to feel well. 

Davis has been out since aggravating his Achilles at the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 14th. Davis admitted he initially feared he had torn his Achilles when suffering the injury as he felt a "ripping" sensation. 

Davis is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists this season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Anthony Davis is building up his conditioning in preparation for his return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup.

Davis has been out of the lineup since Feb. 14 due to a calf strain and tendinosis in his right leg. 

"The biggest thing is conditioning right now. He's healthy. But having not played and not really being able to ramp up his physical on-court activity over the last two months, it's going to take some time before he gets his wind under him and obviously, that's the biggest thing," said Frank Vogel.

The Lakers play the Mavs on Thursday. Davis will be restricted to 15 minutes in his first two games.

LeBron James is still "weeks away" from returning to the court, sources told ESPN. 

The Los Angeles Lakers will be unable to visit the White House to celebrate their 2020 NBA Title, sources told ESPN.

A scheduling conflict plus COVID-19 protocols prevented the celebration, though a future meeting with President Joe Biden was not ruled out.

The Wizards play the Lakers on April 28.

The Lakers also have yet to have a title parade or unveil their championship banner. 

Marc Gasol dislocated his left pinkie finger in Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics.

A trainer popped the digit back into place and Gasol stayed in the game.

X-rays revealed Gasol had suffered a volar plate fracture in the finger.

“It’s my left,” Gasol said. “I don’t use it much anyways.”

Anthony Davis was cleared for full-contact practice and is close to returning to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup.

Frank Vogel said that it was "not out of the question" for Davis to return on Monday against the Jazz.

Davis last played on February 14.

Vogel added that Davis will be on a minutes restriction when he returns.

"Whenever it is that he returns, it's not going to be a full return to playing 30-something minutes a night. Especially with the nature of practice and how shorthanded we are, he's going to have to use some games to try to get himself back in shape. So the first two games he's back will likely be short-minute performances."