LeBron James Injury Update
LeBron James's season debut is approaching as he recovers from sciatica, which sidelined him at the start of his 23rd NBA season. The Lakers initially aimed for a mid-November return for their superstar.
Current Timeline and Recovery Status
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the mid-November target for James's return remains on track. As the Lakers prepare for a five-game road trip following their home game against the Spurs, team personnel still expect James to debut around that time.
“I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief LeBron James’s debut will be around mid-November,”
“But this is unchartered territory. He turns 41 next month, he’s in his 23rd record NBA season and that’s why Rob Pelinka’s three signings this offseason of Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart have been so important paying dividends with the depth without one of the best players of all time in LeBron James.”
Lakers' Performance Without LeBron James
The Lakers have started the season with a strong 6–2 record even without James. The team has been led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who have delivered impressive performances.
- Dončić is averaging 41.3 points per game across four games.
- Reaves has scored 31.1 points per game over seven appearances.
Next Steps in LeBron's Return
Charania highlighted that the next phase of James’s rehab involves resuming five-on-five live practice. It was also reported that James will not be traveling with the team on their upcoming road trip.
Author's Summary
LeBron James is expected to return mid-November after recovering from sciatica, with the Lakers maintaining strong performance depth in his absence.