Why LeBron James Isn't Playing Today
LeBron James will not play against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. At 40 years old, the NBA's all-time points leader has yet to make his 23rd season debut while recovering from a persistent sciatica issue.
Update on LeBron's Return
LeBron and Lakers fans received encouraging news as he appears close to returning to full fitness. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles is confident James will be back around mid-November, matching the timeline shared three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent,” Charania said on NBA Countdown Wednesday, though he emphasized this is “uncharted territory” for a player nearing 41 years old in an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
Lakers' Performance During LeBron's Absence
Despite James's absence, the Lakers have started strong, holding a 6–2 record. Key contributors include Luka Doncic, who is averaging 41.3 points per game in four games, and Austin Reaves, adding 31.1 points over seven games.
New additions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have also helped maintain the team’s depth as LeBron recovers.
Next Steps for LeBron
- Progressing to five-on-five full-contact practice
- Expected to miss the upcoming five-game road trip
Author’s summary: LeBron James is close to returning from sciatica but will miss the next few games as the Lakers sustain strong performance without him early in the NBA season.