Josh Hart listed as ‘questionable’ for Friday vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Los Angeles Lakers are finally starting to get healthy bodies back. After Brandon Ingram made his return against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, the Lakers announced that rookie guard Josh Hart could also make his return by this week’s end.

Hart underwent a successful surgery on his left hand after colliding with teammate Gary Payton II in practice. Hart has not played since March 1.

Head coach Luke Walton said on Wednesday he is “hopeful” Thomas will play on Friday and that he looked “really good” during his 3-on-3 drills, per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.

Depending on the results of Lonzo Ball’s “precautionary” MRI on Thursday, Hart will be one of the Lakers’ few healthy guards, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tyler Ennis. Isaiah Thomas will miss the rest of the season with a nagging hip injury he is expected to repair with surgery.

Hart can also play some small forward, another area the Lakers desperately need help. Per Basketball-Reference, Hart has spent 38 percent of this season at the small forward position.

We’ll know Hart’s status closer to tip-off on Friday, but everything sounds good so far. Hopefully, Hart will be on the floor when the Lakers take on Milwaukee.