The 9-4 Los Angeles Lakers are about to get a timely boost, potentially as early as next week. LeBron James took to Instagram to tease his imminent return with posts and emojis that have ignited social media with excitement from Lakers fans. This coincides with reports of feeling no ill effects from an intense workout, as well as a successful workout with the Lakers’ G League team.
LeBron James’ Post on Lakers Return Gets Fans Excited
James missed all of training camp as well as the first 13 games this season due to a glute injury and lower back pain caused by a sciatic nerve injury. James will be the first player to ever play a 23rd season in the NBA, starting next week.
James’ successful rehab puts him on a path to be ready as soon as Tuesday’s game against the Utah Jazz. He teased this via his Instagram with a video. He also posted a picture of his sneakers and an hourglass emoji.
THE 🐐 IS 🔙
(via @KingJames) pic.twitter.com/DN9feMjjFE
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) November 15, 2025
The video, especially, has already gone viral on social media, with Lakers and James fans getting hyped as the video communicates how locked in he is for his return. It set Laker fans’ hearts racing, as one fan reposted the video with the caption “He’s so locked in i’m fawking trembling son.”While another X account wrote, “league is about to get real scary soon.”
This imminent return from injury comes on the heels of Dave McMenimen’s ESPN article reporting that James practiced with the G-League’s South Bay Lakers this past Thursday and reported no ill effects. This was also confirmed by coach JJ Redick after a reported ‘intense’ 5-on-5 workout. He is scheduled to continue working out with the G-League team as the Lakers conclude their road trip.
The Lakers are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, which is looking likely to be the last game before James attempts to return. They will have a scheduled workout on Monday in California, before Tuesday’s game, where they host the Jazz, which James has penciled in as his return date.
In the meantime, his teammates have held down the fort with aplomb. Luka Dončić has had an otherworldly start to the year, putting him in the early MVP discussions. He’s been helped by the supremely impressive Austin Reaves’ offensive game taking a leap, and a strong comeback year from DeAndre Ayton. All eyes are on Tuesday night.
