LeBron comes off bench in loss to Bulls after 13-game absence

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James returned to the lineup for Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bulls.

The 19-time All-Star came off the bench for just the second time in his 20-year career. He tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 30 minutes but also had five turnovers and was 0-for-2 from beyond the arc as the Lakers fell 118-102 to the Bulls.

James missed the last 13 contests due to a tendon injury in his right foot. He was reportedly targeting a return late in the regular season, but he later dismissed that timeline on social media.

The four-time Finals MVP entered Sunday's contest averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 boards, and 6.9 assists across 47 appearances.

Los Angeles stayed afloat during James' absence, going 8-5 with wins over the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies. Following Sunday's loss, however, L.A. dropped one spot to ninth in the West and is now two games back of the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 seed, which would allow the Lakers to bypass the play-in tournament.