Tendinitis has forced the Lakers’ Magic Johnson...

Tendinitis has forced the Lakers’ Magic Johnson to return to Los Angeles for treatment, and he will probably miss the next three preseason games, the club announced.

Johnson has been bothered recently by inflammation of his left achilles tendon. The problem plagued him all last season.

Johnson sat out the club’s first two preseason games, then played a total of 39 minutes in the Lakers’ last two games.

The Lakers, 4-0 in preseason play, meet the new New Jersey Nets Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn., and again Wednesday in Pittsburgh, then face the Phoenix Suns in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday.