Lakers get positive LeBron James injury update as return nears

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania shared new details about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James as the player gets closer to making his season debut. The 40-year-old forward has not yet played this season while recovering from right-side sciatica.

James has been following a careful and methodical plan in preparation for his unprecedented 23rd NBA season. Despite his absence, the Lakers have managed to perform strongly and maintain competitive form.

Next Steps Toward Return

Shams Charania spoke on ESPN’s NBA Today about what comes next for James as he inches closer to returning to action.

“LeBron James has been working out individually, and I'm told that the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play,” Charania said.

According to Charania, James will not travel with the Lakers during their upcoming five-game road trip starting in Atlanta this weekend. It remains uncertain when exactly he will engage in live sessions while the team is away.

Charania mentioned two possibilities: James could practice with the G League’s South Bay Lakers or wait until the main team returns to Los Angeles on November 16 to begin full live play at that time.

Unclear Timeline

The exact timing for James’s 5-on-5 participation is still to be confirmed, as his recovery and readiness continue to be assessed.

Author’s summary: LeBron James is nearing his comeback for his 23rd NBA season, with a 5-on-5 workout marking the next critical step, though the precise timing remains undetermined.

Newsweek — 2025-11-06