LeBron James to Miss Lakers Game Against San Antonio Spurs
LeBron James will not participate in the Lakers’ Wednesday game versus the San Antonio Spurs. The 40-year-old NBA all-time points leader has yet to start his 23rd season due to recovery from a persistent sciatica problem.
Return Timeline and Recovery Update
There is encouraging news for James and Lakers fans as he appears close to returning to play. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Los Angeles Lakers remain optimistic James will be back around mid-November, matching a previously shared timeline from three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent,” Charania said on NBA Countdown Wednesday, “though this remains uncharted territory for a player nearing 41 years old and entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.”
Lakers’ Performance Without LeBron
The team has performed impressively in James's absence, starting the season with a 6–2 record. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been leading the offense, averaging 41.3 and 31.1 points per game respectively. New offseason signings DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have also played key roles in maintaining the Lakers’ depth.
Next Steps for LeBron
James is expected to progress to full-contact five-on-five practices soon; however, he is likely to miss the upcoming five-game road trip for the Lakers.
Author’s summary: LeBron James continues to recover from sciatica with a potential mid-November return, while the Lakers maintain strong performance driven by key players during his absence.