LeBron James is getting closer to making his season debut, but the wait isn’t over just yet. According to Shams Charania on NBA Today, the Lakers star will not travel with the team on their upcoming road trip, though he is progressing toward full-speed action.
“LeBron James has been working out individually and I’m told that the next step for him is five-on-five live play,” said Shams. “He will not be traveling on the Lakers’ upcoming five-game week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend. It’s unclear whether he’s going to get that live action while the team is on the road, potentially doing it with the G-League South Bay team. Or, the Lakers and LeBron could wait for the team to get back on November 16. The live play process can begin then.”
Charania also noted that the Lakers still believe LeBron is on track to return in the next couple of weeks.
“I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief that LeBron James’ debut will be around mid-November,” he said. “But this is uncharted territory. He turns 41 next month, he’s in his 23rd season, and that’s why Rob Pelinka’s three signings this summer have been so important.”
LeBron James has set an impossible standard for NBA longevity. At 40 years old, he’s not just staying in the league, he is still one of the game’s most impactful players.
This season, however, LeBron has encountered some setbacks that have compromised his availability. In eight games so far, James has yet to make his debut as he deals with a nagging sciatica injury. He missed opening night for the first time in his career and is now set to miss the Lakers’ upcoming road trip.
After tonight’s game, the Lakers won’t return to Los Angeles until November 18, when they play the Utah Jazz. That game is probably the earliest we can expect LeBron to play, but no concrete timetable has been set for his return.
At this stage of his career, both LeBron and the Lakers are taking a cautious approach. He will only return when he is fully ready, even if that means staying out longer than expected.
Fortunately, with players like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves stepping up, the Lakers have enough firepower to stay competitive while LeBron recovers. Reaves will be out tonight against the Spurs, but the team is confident it can continue its strong start without him.
Only time will tell what happens with LeBron, but his return will provide a major boost for a Lakers team that is fighting to stay near the top of the Western Conference. In a season where every game matters, his presence could make all the difference.
At this point, it’s all about timing. LeBron is making steady progress, and the Lakers are staying patient, knowing how much they’ll need him when the games really start to matter. With the Western Conference shaping up to be a tight race, every win counts and every healthy body makes a difference. If mid-November is the target, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see No. 23 back on the floor.
