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Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart has target date for return

By Kenneth Teape

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Josh Hart is nearing a return and has a date that he is targeting.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been hammered by injuries in recent weeks. It has been an issue for Los Angeles all season, and in recent weeks the perimeter was hit hard once again.

Josh Hart fractured his left hand on Feb. 26 against the Atlanta Hawks. In the next game, Brandon Ingram was diagnosed with a hip flexor that turned out to be a strained groin.

The Lakers have played decent basketball since then. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games as the injuries seem to be catching up to them. Without two regulars in their rotation, they have begun to become taxed.

Luckily for the Lakers, they have received some positive news in recent days on the injury front. Brandon Ingram missed the first game of the road trip against the Indiana Pacers but is moving closer to a return to the court. There is a good chance that Ingram plays sometime in the next week during their road trip.

Now, we have some positive news in regards to Hart. Hart is targeting March 30th for his return to the court according to Spectrum SportsNet.

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"“Definitely a possibility. Last week was a little rough. The tissue was a little sore and that kind of thing, but now the flexibility of it is starting to get there and the swelling is going down. I’m definitely targeting that game to try and get out there. Hopefully sooner, but definitely targeting that game.”"

If Hart returns on March 30th, he will be able to play in the final eight games of the regular season. While the Lakers are unlikely to be playing in the postseason, playing in games that still mean something near the end of the season could be beneficial for a young player such as Hart.

Hart was given a 4-6 week timetable for his return, and March 30th would be near the beginning of that timetable. However, he was able to go through shooting drills recently for the first time since undergoing the surgery on his hand.

Prior to the injury, Hart was starting for the Lakers. He had started 10 consecutive games prior to the injury. He was a big part of the Lakers turning things around when Lonzo Ball was sidelined with his knee strain. Hart played at least 27 minutes in each of those games, as he cemented a part in the Lakers rotation.

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This season Hart is averaging 6.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.5 minutes per game. Those numbers improved when he was in the starting lineup, as he was averaging 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.1 minutes per game.

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