LeBron James' Absence and Recovery Update
LeBron James will not play against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The 40-year-old NBA all-time points leader has yet to start his 23rd season as he recovers from a persistent sciatica problem.
Return Timeline and Team Confidence
Despite the delay, both LeBron and Lakers fans received encouraging news today. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Lakers are confident James will return around mid-November, matching the 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 in LeBron’s Absence
The Lakers have started the season 6–2 without LeBron, thanks to strong performances by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
- Luka Doncic is averaging 41.3 points per game over four games.
- Austin Reaves is contributing 31.1 points per game across seven games.
- New additions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have helped maintain the team’s depth during LeBron's recovery.
Next Steps for LeBron James
His next rehabilitation phase includes participating in full-contact five-on-five practice. However, LeBron is expected to miss the Lakers' upcoming five-game road trip.
Author’s Summary
LeBron James continues recovering from sciatica, with a mid-November return expected as the Lakers perform well without him, led by Doncic and Reaves.