‘Felt good to be back’: LeBron James returns to training two months after knee injury

The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, did not end the 2024–25 season in the best possible way, as the Los Angeles Lakers exited in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Personally, too, it was not the ending he would have wished for, as he sustained a Grade 2 MCL knee injury during Game 5 of the Lakers’ playoff loss.

However, in good news for fans of the four-time NBA champion, James has returned to training for the first time in almost two months. The 40-year-old shared a video on Instagram showing his return to the court, stating that it felt good to be back.

BREAKING: LeBron James is expected to opt into his player option and return for a historic 23rd NBA season.

(Via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/6vT5rwYUfm

— BronMuse (@BronMuse) June 25, 2025

“Man, it felt good to get back out there today for the first time since my MCL injury (almost 8 weeks ago). Been at it with my rehab and training regimen to get back to form. Obviously not where I want to be yet, but ultimately off to a good start. Damn, what a great feeling,” James shared in his post.

Despite being 40, James continued to perform at an elite level during the 2024–25 season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, once again emerging as the Lakers’ best player.

However, concerns remain over the superstar’s durability as he approaches 41 in December. Still, his experience and skillset make him a formidable competitor.

The star has remained relatively quiet about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers following the end of the 2024–25 season. James has yet to decide whether he will exercise his player option for the 2025–26 season. The 40-year-old has the opportunity to return for a 23rd NBA season, which would break the current record he shares with league legend Vince Carter.

As it stands, it appears likely that James will return to Los Angeles to play out the final year of his player option contract, as he aims to win his first NBA championship ring since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

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