The Los Angeles Lakers are currently on a five-game road trip, having already played the first two games, splitting matchups against the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets.
Despite dealing with several injuries to key players at the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Lakers have played better than expected. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James have all missed time, but the team currently sits at 8-3, with the consensus being that this squad might be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
However, even though Doncic and Reaves have returned to the floor, James is still recovering from sciatica, which has kept him sidelined for the entire season thus far.
James Set to Practice with South Bay Lakers
Ever since it was announced that James would miss time due to his injury, the expectations have been that he’d return in mid-November. That timeline seems to be where things are headed for the future Hall of Famer, but with one noticeable and unexpected difference.
According to head coach JJ Redick via ESPN, James will ramp up his return to the floor for the Lakers by practicing with the franchise’s G League affiliate.
Lebron James is practicing with the Lakers G League affiliate later this week as he ramps up for a return to the court, per ESPN.
James has been sidelined since the start of the season due to sciatica on his right side. pic.twitter.com/cSgIC4MQY4
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 11, 2025
Although James will get on the practice floor this week, he is not expected to play in the remaining three games during the team’s road trip. The Lakers will face the defending NBA champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Wednesday, followed by matchups against the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks before returning to Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 18 to take on the Utah Jazz.
All signs point to James’ debut being against the Jazz, before the team heads back on the road to Utah for a second consecutive game on Nov. 23, against Lauri Markkanen and company.
It may be safe to assume James returns for the first of two games against the Jazz, then potentially rests for the trip to Utah before taking on the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 25, which will be the last game for the Lakers ahead of Thanksgiving Day.
With the Lakers continuing to play at a high level in James’ absence, the team doesn’t seem to be in a rush to get him back on the floor, especially considering he will be playing in an NBA record 23rd season and will turn 41 years old in December.
