The injury bug bit LeBron James once again in the 2022-23 season.
Not long after the Lakers revamped their roster at the trade deadline, the 19-time All-Star suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for almost a month. While he returned before the end of the regular season and led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals, his foot remained an issue during the playoffs.
James will now be looking to put his foot injury behind him as he embarks on his 21st season in the NBA.
Here's how James suffered the injury and how it impacted his season.
LeBron James foot injury timeline
Feb. 26, 2023: In a matchup with the Mavericks, James appears to suffer a foot injury near the end of the third quarter. He falls to the ground following a layup attempt and is heard saying that he "heard a pop" on the broadcast.
James remains in the game despite the injury. He ends up scoring 26 points and grabbing eight rebounds in 36 minutes, playing a leading role in a 27-point comeback for the Lakers.
Feb. 28, 2023: James is ruled out against the Grizzlies with "right foot soreness."
March 1, 2023: James misses his second straight game with right foot soreness.
March 2, 2023: The Lakers announce that following an evaluation from the team's physicians and medical staff, it's been determined that James has suffered a right foot tendon injury. He will be re-evaluated in "approximately" three weeks.
March 26, 2023: Originally listed as doubtful, James makes his return from injury against the Bulls. In 29 minutes, he finishes with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five turnovers.
James reveals to the media that he tore a tendon in his right foot. He says that two doctors suggested he undergo surgery, but he decided against it when told by the "LeBron James of feet" that he shouldn't.
"I don't know," James responds when asked if he will get surgery after the season. "Right now, I don't need it, so we'll see what happens. I'll probably get another MRI at the end of the season and go from there. But if I end up having to get surgery after the season, you guys won't know. I don't talk to you guys in the offseason. By the time the next season starts, I'll be fine, I'll be ready to go."
In the 13 games James missed, the Lakers went 8-5.
April 9, 2023: The Lakers close the regular season with a win over the Jazz. James leads the way with 36 points, his second-highest scoring performance since his return from injury.
April 16, 2023: The Lakers list James as probable with right foot soreness ahead of Game 1 of their opening-round matchup with the Grizzlies. He goes on to record a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double as the Lakers defeat the Grizzlies to steal home-court advantage.
April 24, 2023: James comes up big in Game 4, leading the Lakers to victory with 22 points and 20 rebounds. Not only does he make a layup in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to force overtime, but his and-one with 29.4 seconds remaining in the extra period seals the deal to take a 3-1 series lead.
April 28, 2023: The Lakers defeat the Grizzlies in Game 6 to advance to the second round. James averages 22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 48.6 percent shooting in the series.
May 12, 2023: The Lakers beat the Warriors in Game 6 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. James averages 24.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 49.5 percent shooting in the series.
May 18, 2023: In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, James rolls his left ankle while pursuing a rebound.
James says afterward that he'll be ready for Game 3. "Nothing is keeping me from playing," he adds.
May 22, 2023: LeBron James erupts for 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but it isn't enough as the Nuggets sweep the Lakers with a Game 4 victory. Despite being listed on the injury report throughout the playoffs with foot soreness, he appeared in all 16 games.
May 23, 2023: James admits that his injury was still an issue during the playoffs.
"I knew I could get to the finish line," James told ESPN. "Obviously, I knew I had to deal with it and deal with the pain or deal with not being able to be myself before the injury, but there was nothing that made me feel like I couldn't get to the finish line."
May 25, 2023: The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that James played the "last few months of the season with a torn tendon in his foot that could need surgery this summer." Charania later adds that surgery could sideline him for two months, but he would be expected to recover by the start of training camp.
