LeBron James to Miss Lakers' Upcoming Road Trip
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will not join the team on their upcoming five-game road trip starting Saturday as he continues to recover from sciatica affecting his right side, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Rehabilitation Progress and Timeline
Charania reported that James’ next rehab phase involves participating in 5-on-5 live play, potentially against G League opponents or after the Lakers return from their road trip in November. The team still expects his return to be around mid-November.
Background on Injury
The Lakers first disclosed in September that James was experiencing nerve irritation in his glute, causing him to miss the preseason. He was also ruled out for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors due to sciatica.
"The next step for James in his rehab is 5-on-5 live play," said Shams Charania.
Current Team Performance and Player Durability
Without James, the Lakers have started the season strongly with a 6-2 record. Despite being the oldest player in the NBA at 41, James has demonstrated remarkable durability, playing 71 games two years ago and 70 games during the 2024-25 season. Last campaign, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.
At his age, minor injuries are expected, and sciatica is the latest setback. Fortunately, the Lakers have Luka Dončić, who lessens their dependence on James.
"The Lakers are still operating under the belief James will return around mid-November," Charania added.
Summary
LeBron James’ recovery from right-side sciatica continues, delaying his return until mid-November, while the Lakers maintain solid performance aided by Luka Dončić.