LeBron James injury update, season debut, Los Angeles Lakers injury report, head coach JJ Redick
Getty
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers appears closer than ever to making his season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Redick.
All indications show LeBron James is closer than ever before at making his historic 23rd season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After a long recovery process, James most recently participated in his first practice with the team of the year, and according to head coach JJ Redick, he isn’t yet ruled out for theLakers’ next game against the Utah Jazz.
“JJ Redick saysit’s “TBD”whether LeBron James plays tomorrow vs. UTA,”team insider Dave McMenamin wrote in a post on X.
Dave McMenamin
JJ Redick says it’s “TBD” whether LeBron James plays tomorrow vs. UTA.
“We’ve been taking it literally one minute, one hour, one step at a time throughout this whole process,” James said about his own return, according to McMenamin. “So, see how I feel this afternoon, see how I feel tonight. When I wake up in the morning, we’ll probably have shootaround. So, just got to see how the body responds over the next 24 hours-plus.”
Jamesis officially listed as day-to-day on theLakers’ injury report, butRedick’s update marks the first time all season theNBA’s all-time leading scorerhasn’t been ruled as ‘out‘before a game.Hewasoriginally expected tomake a return around mid-to-late November, and if he does end up suiting up over the next few days, that would fitwith the original timeline.
LeBron James Returned To Lakers Practice
Over the past few days, James had been sent down to theLakers’G-League affiliate to practice with themin what was his ramp-up for a return from sciatica. After those two days went swimmingly, hewas then elevated back to rejoin theLakers’ practice.
All reports fromMonday’s practice showed James has progressed well, and though he is still not listed as active,Redick said it was the first time all seasonhe’s had every player on the roster on the court at the same time.
But for James, he said the returnwasn’t as easy as he hadoriginally expected. After not participating in any of theLakers’ training camp or preseason action, it was his first time on the court this season with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and the rest of the team.
“My lungs feel like a newborn baby … I got to get my lungs back up to a grown man,”James said afterMonday’s practice. “My voice is already gone. One day back, barking out calls and assignments and stuff, getting my voice working again. It feels good to be back out here with the guys. Missed them.”
LeBron Makes Surprise Statement
About to enter his record-breaking 23rd NBA season, the rust for Jamesisn’t unexpected. However, speaking after practice, the star said this latest battlewasn’t his first time struggling with sciatica.
“I had it two years ago,”the star claimed, saying his first bout with sciatica came in the 2023 offseason. “Ifyou’ve had it, you know. If youain’t ever had it, people making jokes about it, I pray you never get it.”
Dave McMenamin
LeBron James says this is not the first time he’s dealt with sciatica. He also had it during the offseason two years ago. “If you ain’t never had it … I pray you never get it”
The injury causes nerve pain, which is often serious, and inJames’ case, it was affecting the left side of his lower body. Throughout his recovery, James has remained relatively silent, as the announcement that thiswasn’t his first time battling the condition caught reporters off guard.
Regardless, the Lakershave a patient approachwith his recovery, meaning he likelywon’t be cleared until the team decides he is no longer at riskfor further injury.
His status is still uncertain, but LosAngeles’ next two games are against the Jazz, followed by a four-game home stand that could be his best chance at a return. While fans still wait for his debut, James appears closer to starting his historic 23rd season than at any other point over the past few months.