Lakers Receive Positive Update on LeBron James' Injury
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania shared new information regarding the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James as he prepares for a potential return to the court. The 40-year-old forward has not played this season while recovering from right-side sciatica.
James is carefully managing his recovery as he aims to compete in his historic 23rd NBA season. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to perform well without the league's all-time leading scorer.
Next Steps for LeBron's Return
On ESPN's NBA Today, Charania explained the upcoming phase in James' comeback process involves returning to live 5-on-5 basketball drills.
“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.
He also noted that James will not accompany the team on their upcoming five-game road trip starting in Atlanta this weekend. It's uncertain whether James will participate in live play with the G League South Bay team during this time or wait until the Lakers return on November 16 to begin the 5-on-5 workouts.
“It’s unclear when he will get that live action while on the road, potentially with South Bay or after the team’s November 16 return,” Charania added.
Current Team Status
- The Lakers are holding steady despite LeBron's absence.
- LeBron is navigating recovery thoughtfully to extend his career.
- The timeline for his full return remains tentative.
James’ comeback timeline hinges on the progression of these live practice sessions, signaling encouragement but no definitive date yet.
Author's Summary
LeBron James is progressing in recovery with a planned step toward 5-on-5 play; however, his exact return date remains uncertain as the Lakers continue without him.