LeBron James to Miss Lakers Game Against San Antonio Spurs
LeBron James will not play in the Lakers' game versus the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The 40-year-old NBA all-time scoring leader has yet to debut in his 23rd season as he continues to recover from a persistent sciatica injury.
Positive Update on Recovery
Despite the delay, both LeBron and Lakers fans received encouraging news. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers remain optimistic that James will return to the court by mid-November, aligning with earlier projections from three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent,” Charania stated, while noting that this situation is “uncharted territory” for a nearly 41-year-old player entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
Lakers Performing Well in His Absence
Without LeBron, the Lakers have started the season with a strong 6–2 record. This success is largely credited to the outstanding performances of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
- Doncic is averaging 41.3 points per game in four games.
- Reaves contributes 31.1 points per game over seven appearances.
- New additions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have also bolstered the team's depth during LeBron’s absence.
Next Steps for LeBron James
LeBron’s rehabilitation is progressing toward participating in five-on-five full-contact practices. Nevertheless, he is expected to miss the Lakers’ upcoming five-game road trip as he continues to regain full fitness.
Author’s Summary: LeBron James is nearing his return from sciatica but will miss several games ahead, with the Lakers sustaining strong performance levels during his recovery.