LeBron James Will Reportedly Miss Lakers' Road Trip, Latest Timeline for Injury Return

LeBron James to Miss Lakers' Upcoming Road Trip

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not join the team for its upcoming five-game road trip starting Saturday. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James continues to recover from sciatica affecting his right side.

Rehabilitation and Return Timeline

Charania noted that the next step in James’ recovery involves participating in live 5-on-5 action. This could take place against G League players or when the Lakers return from their trip in mid-November.

“The Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief that James' debut will come around mid-November,” Charania reported.

Background on Injury

In September, the Lakers disclosed that James was dealing with nerve irritation in his glute area. This condition sidelined him during the preseason and caused him to miss the season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

Charania previously mentioned in mid-October that James was targeting a return sometime in mid-November.

Team Performance and Longevity

Without James, the Lakers have started the season strong with a 6-2 record. At 41 years old, James remains the oldest active player in the NBA yet continues to demonstrate remarkable durability. He appeared in 71 games two years ago and 70 during the 2024–25 season, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Despite his resilience, minor injuries are expected at his stage of career. Fortunately, the Lakers can rely on star Luka Dončić to help steer the team during James’ recovery.

Author’s Summary

LeBron James will miss the Lakers’ five-game road trip due to a right-side sciatica recovery, but is expected to return around mid-November as the team thrives under Luka Dončić’s leadership.

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