Kyrie Irving (left thigh contusion) to return against the Lakers

After missing Wednesday night’s win against the Sacramento Kings with a left thigh contusion, Kyrie Irving will make his return from a one-game absence tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Lakers.

After arguably the biggest win of the season against the Golden State Warriors in which the Celtics won 128-95, the Celtics took on the Sacramento Kings without Irving the next night winning on a game-winning jumpshot by Gordon Hayward. Now the Celtics will approach the Saturday-night showdown against the Lakers at full strength to try to exact revenge for the previous loss to L.A. in February.

Folks, I think he’s ready.

Against the Lakers on Trade Deadline Day, Irving posted 24 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as Rajon Rondo sank the circus shot at the buzzer to put the Celtics away in Boston. Now in L.A. with the Lakers almost completely shut out from postseason hopes, the Celtics have an opportunity to pay back their biggest historical rivals in the league.

This season, Irving is averaging 23.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists (a career-high...by a good margin). The Celtics will take on the Lakers in L.A. Saturday night at 8:30PM on ABC.