LeBron James Injury Update: Potential Timeline for Lakers’ Superstar’s Season Debut

LeBron James’s long-awaited season debut is drawing nearer as the Los Angeles Lakers continue to monitor his recovery from sciatica, which sidelined him at the start of his 23rd NBA season.

Progress Toward Return

According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Lakers are still targeting mid-November for James’s return to the court. Los Angeles will embark on a five-game road trip following their home matchup against the Spurs on Wednesday, and the internal schedule for James’s comeback appears unchanged.

“I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief LeBron James’s debut will be around mid-November,” Charania stated on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. “But this is uncharted territory. He turns 41 next month, he’s in his 23rd NBA season.”

Lakers’ Depth and Recent Additions

Charania emphasized the impact of general manager Rob Pelinka’s offseason acquisitions—Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart—which have strengthened the lineup and allowed the Lakers to succeed even in James’s absence.

Strong Start Without James

Despite missing their star forward, the Lakers have opened the season with a 6–2 record. Luka Dončić has dazzled with an average of 41.3 points per game over four outings, while Austin Reaves contributes 31.1 points per game through seven appearances.

Next Evaluation

Charania added in a Thursday morning update that James has been cleared for full contact basketball drills and will undergo another evaluation within the next one to two weeks to determine his readiness for return.

Author’s Summary

LeBron James moves closer to returning from injury, as the Lakers’ mid-November target for his comeback remains intact amid a solid start without him.

Sports Illustrated — 2025-11-06