The Los Angeles Lakers are midway through a five-game road trip without LeBron James, who has been sidelined since training camp due to sciatica in his right side. While the team has held steady at 8-3, James is taking steps to return, working out with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, to ramp up his recovery.
Head coach J.J. Redick confirmed the plan, noting that James is “literally practicing with South Bay,” with a re-evaluation expected later this week or early next week. “He’s been cleared for contact, and part of the process is getting back into 5-on-5 scrimmages,” Redick said. The Lakers’ next home game is Nov. 18 against the Utah Jazz, a matchup that could mark the long-anticipated return of the four-time NBA MVP.
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Lakers Thrive Without LeBron
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Despite James’ absence, the Lakers have maintained strong form, spearheaded by Luka Doncic, who is averaging 37.1 points per game and shooting 49.1 percent from the field. Austin Reaves has stepped up as a secondary scoring option, while Deandre Ayton has provided solid two-way play. The Lakers’ 121-111 win over Charlotte on Monday illustrated their depth and resilience.
“The thing about him is he understands the game,” Reaves said of James. “Knowing him, he’s been watching these first…11 games and analyzing the game in a sense of where he knows when he comes back, ‘This is how I can help the team.’”
Timing and Integration
Sources indicate James is expected to rejoin the Lakers’ rotation between Nov. 18 and Nov. 23, during a stretch that includes games against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers. Analysts and former players have debated how James’ return could affect team chemistry, given the current success of the Doncic-Reaves duo.
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce suggested James come off the bench initially, stating on the KG Certified podcast, “When LeBron comes back, LeBron got to come off the bench…instead of you being out there with Luka, you take Luka out of the game, and now you run what Luka was doing.”
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague echoed the sentiment, warning that inserting James immediately could disrupt the team’s rhythm. “Right now, they’ve got these young dudes playing defense and Bron be like…’I ain’t playing no defense,’” Teague said.
A Historic Milestone Looms
Beyond immediate concerns, James’ return will mark the beginning of his 23rd NBA season, an unprecedented milestone in league history. For now, the Lakers are managing the transition carefully, balancing his comeback with the ongoing momentum of a team performing at an elite level without its superstar.