NBA notebook: James not ready yet, but closer

The team said James will be re-evaluated on Wednesday, meaning he is expected
to miss the next three games: Friday at Utah, and home games Sunday against
Cleveland and Tuesday against Chicago.

James, 34, has not played since sustaining the injury during a win at Golden
State on Christmas Day.

The Lakers have gone 3-5 in his absence, including consecutive road wins
earlier this week at Minnesota and Dallas.

--Golden State center DeMarcus Cousins is targeting Jan. 18 for his return to
the court, and said he plans to start when the Warriors face the Clippers in
Los Angeles.

Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Thursday that Cousins, who joined the Warriors
on a one-year, $5.3 million deal in free agency, will start immediately upon
his return.

Cousins, a four-time All-Star, has not played since he suffered a ruptured
left Achilles tendon playing for the New Orleans Pelicans against the Houston
Rockets on Jan. 26, 2018.

--Cleveland Cavaliers center Larry Nance Jr. could miss at least two weeks
after an MRI revealed a sprained MCL in his right knee, ESPN reported.

Nance, 26, left Tuesday's loss to Indiana after colliding with Pacers forward
Thaddeus Young on a first-quarter drive to the basket. After making 1 of 2
free throws, he limped off the court and did not return.

In his first full season with Cleveland, Nance has appeared in 39 games (17
starts) and is averaging 8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals
in 25.6 minutes. All of those numbers are career highs.

--Field Level Media