LEBRON James is expected to return for the Los Angeles Lakers this Friday.

James missed Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors to rest a sore left ankle.

LeBron James is set to return for the Lakers on Friday nightCredit: Getty

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He played just 14 minutes in the All-Star Game and has been absent sinceCredit: Getty
The Lakers suffered a disappointing 128-110 loss and badly need their 39-year-old talisman as they head into the final stretch.

James has played just 14 minutes in the last week and a half, and that was in the NBA All-Star Game.

He missed the showdown with Steph Curry on Thursday given his injury problems.

But coach Darvin Ham had good news for Lakers fans ahead of Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Ham said, “We’ll get an official word (Friday) morning and see, but in all likelihood, he should be out there tomorrow.”

Los Angeles is 30-27 and currently sits ninth in the Western Conference standings.

As if the Lakers didn’t face enough problems with the absence of James and other key players, Anthony Davis was missing his voice during Thursday’s game.

He woke up with a sore throat on Thursday morning and could barely communicate with teammates as the Lakers struggled.

Despite that, he finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks.

“You’re not going to get through a game like this without everyone talking and being alert and ready and doing our work early and being in position early,” Ham said.

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“It’s times when you have to give multiple efforts and you have to yell and communicate with your teammates.

“(Davis) having a little trouble with his voice tonight definitely impacted the game. My hat’s off to him.

“He still came out and did the best job he could under the circumstances. It’s not just him. Everyone has to talk and cover for their teammates.”

Lakers stars Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, and Gabe Vincent have already been missing for a number of weeks, while Christian Wood is now out of action with swelling in his left knee.

“At the top of the list of us trying to get to where we’re trying to get to, we got to get healthy,” Ham said.

“We got to get bodies back in the lineup.”