Los Angeles Lakers fans are eager to witness LeBron James take the floor for the first time this season.
Sciatica has delayed the four-time NBA champion’s 2025-26 season debut, drastically altering the Lakers’ offensive dynamic.
James will be on the bench again when the Lakers match up against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Why LeBron James isn't playing tonight vs. the Timberwolves
Before the regular season commenced, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that James’ sciatica would result in a three-to-four-week absence.
While James undoubtedly wants to support his teammates on the hardwood, he likely understands the importance of remaining patient and taking a one-day-at-a-time approach.
An NBA season is 82 games long, and a franchise can’t get eliminated from playoff contention during the first few weeks (making the Lakers smart for allowing James to return to his dominant form before inserting him back into the starting lineup).
According to Charania’s co-worker, Dave McMenamin, James is progressing well in late October.
"I'm told that we're still in the range of about three more weeks before he would be targeting a return sometime in mid-November,” McMenamin stated Monday.
“I have been told by multiple sources over the last several days that his rehab and all of the process to get back to that return date is moving in the right direction.”
It’s only a matter of time before James officially begins his 23rd NBA campaign.
More NBA: Lakers urged to trade injured superstar before deadline