LeBron James returns to the Lakers lineup to face the Knicks at MSG for the first time since 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers have said LeBron James is set to return to play on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks in what would be his first game at Madison Square Garden in three years.

James sat out on Monday in Brooklyn with ‘left foot soreness’, watching the Purple and Gold fall to the Nets in a 121-104 loss. Head coach Darvin Ham said he would be evaluated again on Tuesday morning before it was determined if he could play.

James is 117 points from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA’s career scoring record. He has missed the Lakers’ last two trips to Madison Square Garden, where he most recently played in January 2020.

LeBron James, left, sat out of Monday night’s game against the Nets along with Anthony Davis

James, 38, hasn’t played against the Knicks in over three years due to injury or suspension

Last year he wasn’t able to dress up in a Lakers uniform due to his suspension for a run-in with Isaiah Steward of the Detroit Pistons. 

Two years ago, James was sidelined for the game because of a high ankle sprain. 

‘The King’ once said in a tweet that that he always looks forward to playing in the Garden, nicknamed the ‘Mecca of Basketball’, when he gets the chance to play in New York.

James once tweeted that his favorite part of coming to New York City was playing at MSG

He currently ranks sixth in the league on offense averaging 30.2 points per game. 

Anthony Davis is listed as probable after also sitting out Monday. He returned last week from a 20-game absence with a right foot injury.

The Knicks have gone 12-13 in home games. New York ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference in team defense, allowing just 112.4 points while holding opponents to 45.3 percent shooting.

The Lakers are 10-16 on the road. Los Angeles ranks fourth in the league scoring 16.8 fast break points per game. James leads the Lakers averaging 6.2.