Los Angeles Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James could make his season debut within the next week after missing the start of the 2025-2026 campaign due to sciatica.
James has been dealing with a nerve issue on his right side, forcing him to stay off the basketball court until recently, when he was finally cleared to take part in physical practice.
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The Lakers have gotten off to a strong start, with a 10-4 record entering Monday and sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference.
They have done this well despite James missing every game thus far, and Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves being out for a handful of games.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James could make his season debut on “Tuesday, Sunday, or next Tuesday,” giving the Lakers a huge boost in their chances out west. He just made his Lakers practice debut on Monday.
The 40-year-old is set to push his rehabilitation into the final stages, ramping back up to full strength with multiple days of practices and 5-on-5 sessions with the proper NBA team.
Before Monday’s session, however, James was practicing with the South Bay Lakers down in the G League as the organization looks to ease him back into action.
South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie spoke about what it was like to have James, one of the best players of all time, around in the developmental league.
“To have the greatest player of all time, join your practice…What an opportunity for each and every one of us..something unbelievable for me as I’m typing up my practice plan to type in LeBron James is pretty crazy,” Guthrie said, per Lakers insider Raj Chipalu.
“For all of our guys what an unbelievable experience. I talked to them about the two days of practice. Look this dudes practice habits. Look at how he’s the first one in, how he approaches it. How his mind is completely locked in. Completely dialed..His prep before hand and after, how he takes care of his body is incredible.”
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