Lakers star LeBron James returns from injury against Kings

Lakers star LeBron James played tonight against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center.

The Lakers announced Friday before noon that James’ status had been upgraded to questionable for the game and announced in the evening he was now available. James had been listed as out on the team’s injury report Thursday night because of a high right ankle sprain.

James has missed the last 20 games since suffering the high ankle sprain on March 20, when Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill ran into James’ leg while scrambling for a loose ball.

James worked for about an hour Friday at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo and arrivied at Staples Center about three hours before the game to test the ankle. James also worked out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday when the Lakers were on their four-game trip.

Coach Frank Vogel said there would be no minutes restriction for James.

Including the loss to the Hawks, the Lakers are 8-13 with James injured, and they have lost four of their last five games.

James was averaging 25.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists before his injury.

The Lakers now reside in fifth place in the Western Conference, just one game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and two ahead of the seventh-place Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers have 10 regular-season games left.