Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron Jamescontinues to work out individually while recovering from the sciatica affecting his lower back and right side, and the next step in his return will be progressing to live 5-on-5 reps in practice, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.
James will not travel with the Lakers on their upcoming five-game trip through Atlanta, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Milwaukee, sources told ESPN.null
While the Lakers are on the road, their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, will be practicing at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo, California. It is unclear whether James would join South Bay for practices or wait for the Lakers to return for a group session, sources told Charania.
This means the earliest James could return is Nov. 18, when L.A. hosts the Utah Jazz.
Last week, Lakers head coach JJ Redick outlined a tentative return window for the 40-year-old superstar. “It all hinges on steady progress through his return-to-play steps,” Redick explained. “We’re not locking in a specific date—just aiming for that broader window. We’re hopeful he’ll clear every hurdle and be back sometime in the second or third week of November.”
Thursday marks exactly four weeks since the Lakers disclosed James’ sciatica diagnosis on October 9. The initial update promised a reassessment in three to four weeks.
Los Angeles has opened the season 6-2 in his absence. When James steps onto the court for his Lakers debut, he’ll etch his name in the record books as the first NBA player ever to appear in 23 seasons.
