The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten out to a 6-2 record to start the 2025-26 NBA season, but they have had to deal with injuries to key players. The biggest ailment that has afflicted the team is the case of sciatica LeBron James has had for many weeks that caused him to sit out all of its regular-season games thus far.
James and the Lakers have reportedly been targeting mid-November for his potential return. The good news, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, is that the 40-year-old appears to be progressing and is poised to take the next step in his rehab.
“Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James continues 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,” McMenamin wrote.
“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.
“… This means the earliest James could return is Nov. 18, when L.A. hosts the Utah Jazz.”
Once James makes his return to game action, he will officially begin his 23rd NBA season, which will set a new record for the most seasons a player has been in the league. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists a game and was named to both the All-Star game and the All-NBA Second Team.
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He was originally diagnosed with sciatica nearly a month ago, although, according to Charania, the ailment first occurred during a midsummer workout.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider gives encouraging update on LeBron James