LeBron James Sidelined, Return Expected Mid-November
LeBron James will not play against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a persistent sciatica issue. The 40-year-old NBA points leader has yet to make his much-anticipated debut for his 23rd season.
Positive Update on Return Timeline
Lakers fans received encouraging news: LeBron is reportedly nearing full fitness. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers remain confident James will return around mid-November, consistent with the initial timeline shared three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent,” Charania said, while noting this is “uncharted territory” for a player approaching 41 years old and an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
Team Performance Without LeBron
Despite his absence, the Lakers have started strong with a 6–2 record, driven by the standout performances of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
- Doncic has exploded offensively, averaging 41.3 points per game in four matches.
- Reaves has contributed 31.1 points per game across seven games.
- New acquisitions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have provided important depth during LeBron’s recovery.
Next Steps in Recovery
LeBron’s upcoming goal is to advance to five-on-five full-contact practices, though he is expected to miss the Lakers' upcoming five-game road trip.
Author's summary: LeBron James is progressing in his recovery from sciatica and is expected to return mid-November, while the Lakers maintain a strong start led by key players during his absence.