Lakers' LeBron James Cleared for Basketball Activities
The Los Angeles Lakers announced Thursday that star forward LeBron James has been cleared to resume contact basketball activities as part of his recovery from sciatica. The team confirmed he will be reevaluated within the next one to two weeks.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers stated that James has “progressed to contact basketball activity.”
At 40 years old, James is a 21-time All-Star and four-time NBA MVP, now in his 23rd season. He has missed the start of the 2025–26 campaign due to right-side sciatica. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that James would not join the team for a five-game road trip in November, opting instead to train on his own before moving on to full 5-on-5 practices.
- Replacement starters during James’ absence include Gabe Vincent, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia.
- James continues to produce elite numbers deep into his career, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds last season.
- Rising players such as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are drawing attention for MVP and All-Star-level performances.
Despite James missing the first nine games, the Lakers remain competitive with a 7-2 record, currently holding the second-best record in the Western Conference. A healthy James, however, remains essential for their championship ambitions.
Author Summary
LeBron James has resumed contact activities after a sciatica setback, signaling strong progress in rehab as the Lakers maintain momentum without their star veteran.