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LeBron James returns for Lakers after missing past 3 games because of injuries

By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James returned to the lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls after missing the past three games because of a right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot.

James, 41, is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and seven assists in 44 games this season, his 23rd in the NBA. He had been a game-time decision to play against the Bulls but was confirmed to be available before tip-off.

The Lakers won all three games without James, including impressive victories over the New York Knicks on Saturday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. Los Angeles is 40-25 and came into the night fourth in the Western Conference with a chance to move ahead of the idle Houston Rockets, who have the same record.

Marcus Smart did not play Thursday because of a right hip contusion but coach JJ Redick expressed optimism the veteran guard would be available against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

The Lakers were down to two healthy centers as Jaxson Hayes was sidelined due to soreness in his back, while Maxi Kleber is expected to miss some time because of a lingering lumbar back strain, Redick said. Los Angeles was awaiting test results on Hayes to determine the severity of his injury.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

NYPD says dozens rescued from human trafficking during World Cup

By WTOP Staff
▶ Watch Video: Inside look at security preparations for World Cup Forty-three people, including seven minors, were rescued from human traffickers during the World Cup matches in the New York City area, according to the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Unit.The rescue operations were carried out between June 11 and July 19 by specialized NYPD detectives who arrested 89 individuals."The surprise was really the outpouring of support behind the mission and the collaboration with all our partners," said Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the Special Victims Unit.Those rescued, largely the victims of sex trafficking, are now being supported with an array of social services for the victims, including food, housing and counseling.The 87 operations carried out during the World Cup have generated new leads, officials said, and law enforcement agencies are building more cases based on the investigations already underway."We have ongoing investigations now as a result of these operations," an NYPD official told CBS News.Major sporting events are known to law enforcement as hotbeds of human trafficking.Years in advance, the NYPD devoted significant resources to preparing for the World Cup. Eight matches were played at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, including the final on Sunday."When we talk about the outreach and the prep we do, a large part of that involved visiting the known sex offenders, particularly the known human traffickers, in our registry," Marcus said. "Whether they're on parole or probation for human trafficking, we visited them to make sure they're compliant with the terms of their release, and secondly, to let them know that the NYPD is watching."The matches were held in multiple cities around the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Preparations to secure those games and prepare for crimes like human trafficking were coordinated between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.Police departments in many locations that hosted World Cup matches have made arrests and rescues connected to human trafficking, including in Georgia, New England and Missouri. Nationally, there were more than 673 arrests on human-trafficking charges made during the World Cup, and 61 adults and 13 minors rescued, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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