LeBron James appears ready to officially launch Year 23, and the timing could not be better for a Lakers team that has started the season with real momentum. After weeks of monitoring his status and managing his workload, the expectation is that the superstar forward will attempt to make his season debut tonight at home against the Utah Jazz. The anticipation around the franchise has picked up quickly, and Shams Charania offered the clearest picture yet of how close James is to returning.
“Sources tell me LeBron James is aiming and wants to make his season debut tonight, at home, against the Utah Jazz,” said Shams on NBA Today. “I’m told he will go through his normal pre-game routine on game day. That means his pre-game nap and his pre-game on-court workout before a final determination is made.”
That update gives fans a first look at the process behind the Lakers’ decision-making, but Shams added even more detail about James’s mindset and how eager he is to rejoin the lineup. The Lakers are playing with confidence, and the return of their leader has become a realistic target as long as everything checks out before tipoff.
“He still has some boxes to check before he starts his record 23rd NBA season. But my understanding is that LeBron James is itching to get back out on the court. He’s motivated and eager to join a surging Lakers team,” Shams added. “They’re not gonna do anything to risk anything short-term happening pre-game, but his goal when he entered the Crypto.com Arena tonight is to get back out on the floor and play in tonight’s game.”
James has been dealing with a sciatica injury since the summer, and it kept him out of the opening night lineup for the first time in his career.
As he has recovered, the Lakers have held their own in his absence, boasting a 10-4 record through the first 14 games. At fourth in the East, they are in position to make a lot of noise this season, and James has an opportunity to join in on the prosperity. While he has opted to take a cautious approach, he reported feeling good in his first practice last week, and all signs point to his return tonight against the Jazz. The question is what we can expect from James in his historic 23rd season.
After averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season, we know he can still play at an elite level. But as the second (arguably third) option for the Lakers, many are uncertain how he will adjust.
For James, all that matters is that he can get back to action after one of the longest absences of his career. It has been weeks in the making for the four-time champion, but it might pay off if the Lakers can pull off something special.
If James can settle in quickly and stay healthy, the Lakers will have a real chance to build on their strong start and establish themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in the league. His return gives them experience, stability, and a level of leadership that cannot be replicated, and the hope in Los Angeles is that Year 23 becomes another chapter in a remarkable career.
