LeBron James, meet LeBron James.
The Lakers superstar made his return to the court Sunday after missing 13 games with a tendon injury in his right foot. He tallied 19 points, three assists and eight rebounds in his first game since Feb. 26.
The severity of James' injury was kept unclear while he was inactive. As it turns out, James narrowly avoided getting surgery on the foot, despite the urging of multiple doctors. His reasoning for passing on surgery was simple, and kind of funny: James met with the "LeBron James of feet."
"I went to the LeBron James of feet."
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 26, 2023
LeBron explains his decision on not getting surgery for his foot.
(via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/I6lOLFNogz
MORE: How did LeBron James play in his return to the court?
The postgame exchange between a reporter and James:
Reporter: Did anyone ever suggest surgery?
James: Yeah, two doctors.
Reporter: Why did you decide against it?
James: Because I went to the LeBron James of feet, and he told me I shouldn't.
James did not identify the "LeBron James of feet."
James said that there's a good chance that he will get surgery after the season ends and that he should be good to go by the start of next season.
James clarified to reporters that he suffered a torn tendon in his right foot, an injury that can take over a month to recover from and can sometimes require surgery. He also said that doctors told him that he recovered quickly from the injury.
LeBron James said he tore a tendon in his right foot — an injury that typically takes longer than four weeks to recover from. He said that doctors told him he healed from the injury faster than they’ve ever seen.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 26, 2023
The existence of a "LeBron James of feet" implies that there's a "Michael Jordan of feet." Let the debates commence.
