LeBron James to Miss Lakers Game vs. San Antonio Spurs
LeBron James will not play against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The 40-year-old NBA all-time scoring leader has yet to make his highly anticipated debut for the 23rd season as he continues recovering from a persistent sciatica issue.
Return Timeline and Team Updates
Fans received encouraging news that LeBron is nearing full fitness. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Los Angeles Lakers remain confident James will return around mid-November, aligning with the initial timeline shared three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent, though this remains uncharted territory for a player nearing 41 years old and entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season,” said Charania on NBA Countdown Wednesday.
Lakers Performance Without LeBron
Despite LeBron’s absence, the Lakers have performed impressively, starting the season with a 6–2 record. Key contributors include Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who have led the team's offense:
- Luka Doncic is averaging 41.3 points per game over four games.
- Austin Reaves is scoring 31.1 points per game through seven games.
New acquisitions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have also been essential in maintaining team depth during LeBron’s recovery.
Next Steps for LeBron
The next stage for James involves participating in five-on-five full-contact practice. However, he is expected to miss the Lakers’ upcoming five-game road trip.