Lakers coach JJ Redick said James’ hip injury typically has a recovery period of 1-2 weeks. James scored 38 points in the Game 3 road loss to the Timberwolves on April 25, exactly two weeks after suffering the injury. He was also sidelined for two weeks from early to mid-March because of a strained left groin.

The Houston Rockets staved off elimination Wednesday night in a 131-116 win over the Golden State Warriors at home. All five of Houston’s starters scored double-digit points in a dominant showing to force a Game 6. The series heads back to San Francisco on Friday night.

The Timberwolves big man rescued his team from an abysmal shooting performance and finished with 27 points and 24 rebounds. Los Angeles had no interior defense to stop his easy looks, and his ability to keep possessions alive on the offensive glass also proved critical in crunch time.