Ahead of traveling for their two-game road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers announced LeBron James was cleared to begin participating in practice as the next step in his recovery from a strained groin suffered on Christmas Day. Then over the weekend, Rajon Rondo was cleared for full-contact practices.
At the time, Lakers head coach Luke Walton downplayed the possibility that either of the veterans would return for the matchup with the Golden State Warriors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Walton then confirmed as much after Monday’s shootaround.
Although James and Rondo will each miss a 14th consecutive game, they continue to make progress in their respective recoveries.