LeBron James Will Reportedly Miss Lakers' Road Trip, Latest Timeline for Injury Return

LeBron James to Miss Lakers' Road Trip Due to Injury

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will not join the team for their upcoming five-game road trip starting Saturday as he continues to recover from sciatica affecting his right side, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Rehabilitation Progress and Return Timeline

Charania reported that James' next rehabilitation phase involves 5-on-5 live play, potentially against G League players or after the team returns from the road trip in November. Lakers staff remain optimistic about James making his season debut around mid-November.

Details of the Injury

In September, the Lakers disclosed that James was suffering from nerve irritation in his glute, sidelining him throughout the preseason. He also missed the season opener against the Golden State Warriors due to sciatica in the same area.

Season Start and Player Durability

The Lakers have started the 2025-26 season with a 6-2 record despite James' absence. At 41 years old, James remains the oldest player in the league but has displayed remarkable durability, appearing in 71 games two seasons ago and 70 games in 2024-25. During the last campaign, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Impact of Age and Team Depth

While minor injuries are natural at his age, James has largely avoided extended absences. Fortunately for the Lakers, they benefit from having another star, Luka Dončić, reducing their dependence on James during this recovery period.

"The Lakers revealed in September that James was dealing with nerve irritation in his glute, and that injury kept him sidelined for Los Angeles' preseason slate."
"Lakers personnel are still 'operating under the belief' that James' debut will come 'around mid-November,'" said Shams Charania.

Summary: LeBron James is sidelined with sciatica and expected to return mid-November, while the Lakers maintain a strong start aided by Luka Dončić’s outstanding play.

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