Lakers Get Positive LeBron James Injury Update as Return Nears
Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James is nearing a return as he continues recovering from sciatica on his right side. The 40-year-old veteran, preparing for his remarkable 23rd NBA season, has yet to play this year but remains disciplined in his approach to recovery. Meanwhile, the Lakers are performing well even without the league’s all-time scoring leader.
During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today, insider Shams Charania shared new details regarding the next steps in James’s comeback plan.
"LeBron James has been working out individually, and I'm told that the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play," Charania said.
Charania added that James will miss the Lakers’ upcoming five-game road trip beginning in Atlanta this weekend. It remains uncertain where he will conduct his full workouts—either with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate, or after the main roster returns to Los Angeles on November 16.
"He will not be traveling on the upcoming five-game week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend... It’s unclear when he will be able to get that live action while the team is on the road, potentially doing it with the G League South Bay team or do the Lakers and LeBron wait for the team to get back on November 16 and then the live play process can begin then," Charania explained.
Summary
LeBron James is progressing toward his NBA return, with his next step set to be live 5-on-5 action following weeks of individual training.
Author’s Summary: LeBron James nears his comeback as he plans for 5-on-5 drills, signaling steady recovery before his 23rd season with the Lakers.