Lamar Odom flown back to L.A. for treatment at Cedars-Sinai

Lamar Odom returned to Los Angeles on Monday night and was at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center continuing to receive treatment for his recovery from a coma, The Times has confirmed.

Odom, who played for the Lakers and Clippers during his 14-year NBA career, was found unconscious at a brothel in rural Nevada just over a week ago and transported to a Las Vegas hospital.

He was hospitalized in critical condition at the time.

Workers at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal. Nev., said they saw Odom, who had been there for several days, drink alcohol and take supplements sold as “herbal Viagra.�

Odom regained consciousness and started “speaking in sentences� and began texting for the first time on Friday, a person who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter told The Times.

Odom’s estranged wife, reality TV star Khloe Kardashian, has been at his side throughout.

His aunt, JaNean Mercer, told the Associated Press on Monday that Odom was alert and his condition was improving and that he was overcoming “insurmountable obstacles� and defying the odds.

“We realize Lamar’s continued improvement will not be easy, however his unrelenting strength and faith in GOD will pull him through,� said a statement on behalf of Mercer.

Odom was transported to L.A. by medical helicopter, according to published reports. His current condition was unknown, but as of Sunday night, the hospital in Las Vegas had been running numerous tests on him, according to Luke Walton, Odom’s former Lakers teammate who went to visit his friend.

Walton said he was unable to see Odom on Sunday in Las Vegas, but was told that Odom “was doing great� and that it was “great being there and hearing that.�

Twitter: @BA_Turner