LeBron James Injury Update
LeBron James’s season debut is approaching as he recovers from sciatica at the start of his 23rd NBA season. Three weeks ago, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Lakers aimed for a mid-November return for James. This timeline remains on track as the Lakers prepare for a five-game road trip following their home game against the Spurs.
“I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief LeBron James’s debut will be around mid-November,” Charania said on ESPN NBA Countdown.
LeBron turns 41 next month and is in his 23rd NBA season, making this a unique situation. Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka’s offseason signings of Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart have been crucial in adding depth during James’s absence.
Lakers’ Performance Without LeBron
The Lakers have started the season 6–2 without James, led by strong performances from Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
- Dončić is averaging 41.3 points per game over four games.
- Reaves has posted 31.1 points per game across seven games.
Current Status and Next Steps
Charania shared a further update Thursday, noting that James has been cleared for contact basketball and will undergo re-evaluation by the Lakers within one to two weeks.
“The Lakers star has been cleared for contact basketball activities and will be re-evaluated by the franchise in one-to-two weeks,” Charania reported.
Summary: LeBron James is expected to return to Lakers action around mid-November after recovering from sciatica, with the team maintaining a strong start despite his absence.