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LA Lakers star forward LeBron James made a surprise return on Sunday versus Chicago Bulls after missing 13 games due to a right foot tendon injury.
In other news, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a playoff berth on Sunday, marking their first qualification without LeBron James since 1998.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of March 27, 2023.
LeBron James returns from injury after 13-game absence
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LeBron James came off the bench on Sunday during the Lakers’ 118-108 loss to Chicago. The game marked James’ first game played since February 26 when he sustained a right foot tendon injury versus Dallas Mavericks. It also marked James’ first game coming off the bench since 2007.
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In his return, James led LA with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists on 54.5% shooting. However, it wasn’t enough as his side were thoroughly outplayed throughout most of the game. LA trailed by as many as 20 points in the second quarter before narrowing the gap in the second half.
The Bulls were led by star shooting guard Zach LaVine, who finished with 32 points and four assists on 68.4% shooting. Following the game, Lakers coach Darvin Ham spoke about his team’s lack of energy:
“We came out a little flat, turned the ball over early, just weren't aggressive enough, physical enough,” Ham said.
However, Ham liked what he saw from James in his first game back:
“You could see him getting his rhythm, his timing, his finishes, all of that,” Ham said.
“He's a savvy veteran, one of the greatest ever to do it, so it's not going to take all that much.”
The loss ended the Lakers’ (37-38, ninth in the West) three-game winning streak. The Bulls (36-38, 10th in the East), have now won seven of their last nine games.
Cavaliers secure first playoff berth without LeBron James since 1998
Following their 108-91 win over Houston Rockets on Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2018. It is also the first time the franchise has made the playoffs without LeBron James since 1998. James led the Cavs to the playoffs from 2006 to 2010 and from 2015 to 2018.
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke about the significance of the accomplishment for Cleveland following the game:
"Organizationally, this is a big deal," Bickerstaff said.
"To come from where we came from and every year continue to take steps in the right direction and positive direction. All the hard work that people in this organization put in to help get us here should be acknowledged.
"Our guys have bought in to something bigger than themselves. It's unique for a young team to do that at such a rapid pace. Typically young guys are so worried about figuring out themselves that the team is secondary; we've got a bunch of guys where the team is the primary thing and the only thing."
Cleveland were led by star big man Jarrett Allen, who finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks on 72.7% shooting. Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, five assists and four 3-pointers on 50.0% shooting.
Meanwhile, Houston was led by sophomore shooting guard Jalen Green with 30 points, four assists and five 3-pointers on 58.8% shooting.
The Cavs (48-28, fourth in the East) have now won four straight games. The Rockets (18-57, 15th in the West) have lost five straight games.
Ja Morant returns to Grizzlies’ starting lineup as Memphis win sixth straight game
Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant returned to the team’s starting lineup on Sunday against Atlanta Hawks after two games of coming off the bench. Morant had been coming off the bench as part of his ramp-up process following his eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league.
In his return to the starting lineup, Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points, three rebounds and six assists on 52.9% shooting. This came as the Grizzlies picked up a 123-119 win over the Hawks
The Hawks were led by star point guard Trae Young, who finished with 28 points and 10 assists on 50.0% shooting.
The win marked Memphis’ (47-27, second in the West) sixth straight. The Grizzlies are now two games ahead of the Sacramento Kings (45-29) for the two seed in the West.
Atlanta (37-38, eighth in the East) remain firmly in the battle for one of the East’s final playoff spots.
Mavericks fall three games below .500 following another costly loss to Charlotte
The Dallas Mavericks suffered another blow to their playoff chances on Sunday after dropping their second straight game to Charlotte Hornets 110-104. This came despite a big night from superstar guard Luka Doncic. Doncic finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks on 41.4% shooting.
The shorthanded Hornets were led by veteran forward Gordon Hayward. Hayward finished with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists on 57.1% shooting.
Following the game, Mavs coach Jason Kidd spoke about the Mavs dropping another winnable game:
“It’s unfortunate that we let these two games go and we have to figure out a way to stop the bleeding,” Kidd said.
Dallas (36-39, 11th in the West) has now lost four straight games. The Mavs sit one game behind the 10th-place OKC Thunder (37-38) for the final play-in spot in the West with seven games remaining.
Charlotte (25-51, 14th in the East) has won two straight games.
