LeBron James Injury Update and Expected Return
Lakers fans and the NBA are eagerly awaiting LeBron James's return as the team holds a strong start this season without their iconic leader. The Lakers expect James to be back around mid-November, sticking to a timeline announced three weeks ago. At 41 years old, James is currently recovering from sciatica, which has sidelined him at the beginning of the season. The next step for James is to resume five-on-five play.
Although James is not joining the team on their current five-game road trip, which concludes on November 15 in Milwaukee, he may train with the South Bay Lakers, the franchise’s G League affiliate, during this period.
Lakers’ Performance Without LeBron
Despite James’s absence, the Lakers have achieved an impressive 7-2 record, reflecting successful offseason roster moves and team depth. Luka Dončić, acquired last season, is delivering an outstanding offensive performance, averaging 41.3 points per game. Austin Reaves adds another 31.1 points nightly, helping the Lakers remain competitive while allowing James to recover fully.
The additions of Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart have further strengthened the roster during this recovery period.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, "The organization is sticking to the timeline set three weeks ago, when James’s return was projected for this window."
Next Steps for James
- Resume five-on-five practice
- Potential workouts with South Bay Lakers
- Return expected after November 15 road trip
Author’s summary: LeBron James is targeting a mid-November return after recovering from sciatica, while the Lakers maintain a strong start without him, led by key contributions from Dončić and Reaves.