Lakers' LeBron James Cleared for Contact Basketball
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Thursday that LeBron James has been cleared for contact as part of his recovery from sciatica. The team confirmed he is now able to participate in "contact basketball activity" and will be reassessed in one to two weeks.
LeBron James' Injury and Recovery Timeline
James, 40 years old and in his 23rd NBA season, has been sidelined with right-side sciatica. The 21-time All-Star and four-time NBA MVP missed the start of the 2025-26 season due to this injury.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers said in a statement that James has progressed to "contact basketball activity," and he will be reevaluated in one to two weeks.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that James did not join the team for a recent five-game road trip and has been focusing on individual workouts before moving back to live 5-on-5 practice sessions.
Team Performance and Player Contributions
- During James' absence, players like Gabe Vincent, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have started in the lineup.
- The Lakers have achieved a 7-2 record in the first nine games, which is the second-best in the Western Conference.
- Luka Dončić is performing at a potential MVP level, while Austin Reaves has emerged as a genuine All-Star candidate.
Ultimately, the Lakers obviously need a healthy James to truly contend for an NBA title.
Despite his age, James continues to deliver strong performances, finishing last season averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Outlook
LeBron's return to contact drills signals progress, and the Lakers remain hopeful that his presence will boost their championship chances this season.
Summary: LeBron James has advanced to contact basketball activity amid sciatica recovery, with the Lakers maintaining a strong record and hopeful for his full return to boost their title prospects.