Report: Lamar Odom is ‘conscious and breathing on his own’

After three and a half days of unfortunate news leaks from his Las Vegas hospital bed, it appears we finally have some encouraging news regarding the health of Lamar Odom:

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The two-time champion and 2011 Sixth Man of the Year has taken a turn for the better as he attempts to overcome what was a reported drug overdose at a Las Vegas brothel on Monday evening. From ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:

Lamar Odom is conscious and breathing on his own in a Las Vegas hospital and has spoken a few words, a source told ESPN on Friday.

Odom no longer has a breathing tube, the source said. He is wearing a breathing mask and remains in critical condition, however.

Shelburne went on to report that Odom was under heavy sedation as “doctors worked to make sure his organs functioned properly.”

Odom had reportedly been surrounded by several former Los Angeles Lakers teammates and his ex-wife Khloe Kardashian after being found unresponsive by a brothel employee early Tuesday morning. Odom, who last played in the NBA in 2013, had previously only shown brief signs of recognition while fighting for his life in the hospital.

UPDATE: Odom’s camp has confirmed the report:

Rep for Lamar Odom‘s aunt says he woke up and spoke 3 days after he was found unconscious.

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A source that spoke to TMZ earlier on Friday sadly pitted his odds at survival at “50/50,” so clearly the latest news out of Las Vegas is a wonderful sign for Odom and his extended NBA family.

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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KDonhoops