LeBron James Injury Update
The Los Angeles Lakers have started the 2025-26 season with a strong 6-2 record, led by five-time All-NBA First Team player Luka Dončić and probable All-Star Austin Reaves. However, 21-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion LeBron James has yet to play this season due to a severe preseason sciatica diagnosis.
At 40 years old and approaching his 23rd NBA season, LeBron is making steady progress toward returning to the court. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James has been training individually and is expected to move soon into 5-on-5 live play.
"LeBron James has been working out individually, and I'm told the next step for him is 5-on-5, live play," Shams Charania said on ESPN's NBA Countdown with Malika Andrews.
"I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief that LeBron James' debut will be around mid-November, but this is uncharted territory."
Lakers' general manager Rob Pelinka highlighted the importance of offseason signings like Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart in providing the team with valuable depth while LeBron recovers.
"That's why Rob Pelinka's three signings this offseason—Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart—have been so important, paying dividends with the depth without one of the best players of all time in LeBron James."
Summary
LeBron James is steadily recovering and expected to join full team action by mid-November, with the Lakers relying on recent signings to maintain their strong season start in his absence.