LeBron James's Status and Return Timeline
LeBron James will not play in the game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. At 40 years old, the NBA’s all-time points leader has yet to start his 23rd season as he recovers from a persistent sciatica problem.
There is encouraging news for LeBron and Lakers fans: he appears close to regaining full fitness. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers remain confident James will return around mid-November, aligning with the timeline reported three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent,” Charania said on NBA Countdown, while noting this is “uncharted territory” for a nearly 41-year-old player entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
Lakers’ Performance Without LeBron James
The Lakers have performed well despite his absence, starting the season with a 6–2 record, largely thanks to the impressive efforts of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
- Luka Doncic leads offensively, averaging 41.3 points per game in four games.
- Austin Reaves contributes 31.1 points per game over seven games.
- New additions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have added valuable depth.
Next Steps for LeBron James
James’s upcoming phase in recovery involves participating in full-contact five-on-five practices. However, he is expected to miss the Lakers' imminent five-game road trip.
Author's Summary
LeBron James is close to returning from sciatica but will miss upcoming games as he gradually resumes full-contact practice, with the Lakers showing strong form without him.