LeBron James, the star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, has yet to make his season debut due to sciatica in his right side, which has sidelined him since the onset of the regular season. The expectation has been for James to miss the initial weeks, and the Lakers currently stand at a 2-2 record in his absence. Notably, these games included two matchups where key players like Luka Doncic were also unavailable.
Despite the challenges, the Lakers appear to be managing well without their superstar. The initial timeline for James’ return points to mid-November, and reports from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin indicate that his rehabilitation is progressing positively. “I’ve been 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 noted, confirming that there are good vibes surrounding his comeback.
While no definitive return date has been set for James, the upcoming Lakers schedule hints at a potential return. The team is slated for back-to-back games against the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks on November 14 and 15, respectively. Following those games, the Lakers have two days off before facing the Utah Jazz on November 18, which could be an ideal moment to reintroduce James into the lineup. If he returns by then, it would mean he has missed the first 14 games of the season, leaving him with a maximum of 68 games eligible for awards.
In his absence, other players have stepped up, such as Austin Reaves, who scored an impressive 41 points in a recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the Lakers struggled as they faced considerable depth issues, ultimately losing that game 122-108. Deandre Ayton, who had 16 points and eight rebounds, acknowledged the strain on the team due to the absence of multiple rotation players.
The anticipation of LeBron’s return adds a level of excitement and hope for the Lakers fanbase as they navigate the early part of the season without him. His presence not only has the potential to enhance team performance but also pave the way for him to make history as the first player to compete in 23 NBA seasons.