The Los Angeles Lakers are winning close games without their two biggest stars, but the question remains: when will LeBron James and Luka Dončić return to the lineup?
Head coach JJ Redick offered a glimpse of hope this week, though he stopped short of setting a specific date. Speaking to reporters before Wednesday’s game, Redick said James is expected to return “during the second or third week of November,” according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. That timeline aligns with an earlier report from Shams Charania, who also projected a mid-November comeback.
James has been sidelined with sciatica, a nerve condition that surfaced during the summer and lingered into training camp. Redick confirmed that the 39-year-old will be reevaluated later this week to determine his progress. Now entering his 23rd NBA season — and seventh with the Lakers — James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game last year.
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Dončić Nearing a Return
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As for Dončić, Redick described him as day-to-day while he recovers from a finger sprain and leg contusion. “We hope to have Luka back in the next couple of games,” Redick said, adding that the swelling in Dončić’s left hand has gone “from twice its normal size to about one and a half times.”
Dončić, who joined the Lakers last season after a blockbuster trade with Dallas, averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in Los Angeles. Over the summer, he dominated at EuroBasket and secured a $165 million contract extension, solidifying his role as the franchise’s future cornerstone.
Lakers Holding Steady
Despite the absences, Los Angeles has stayed competitive. Behind Austin Reaves’ clutch performances — including a game-winner against Minnesota — the Lakers are 3-2 to start the season. Reaves has not only stepped up as a scorer but also as a playmaker, forming strong chemistry with Deandre Ayton.
“He’s been awesome,” Reaves said. “He’s very receptive to everything we tell him, and then he gives us a voice back. It’s been very, very good.”
With both LeBron and Luka progressing toward returns, the Lakers’ early-season resilience could soon be rewarded — and when their star duo reunites, Los Angeles will again look like one of the NBA’s most dangerous teams.
