LeBron is coming back, Lakers still hot without him – Basketball Insider
Ready to connect, but not quite ready yet
The Los Angeles Lakers received positive news this week that LeBron James has been cleared to engage in contact basketball activities, according to a team statement on Thursday. The 40-year-old forward is still recovering from sciatica, a nerve problem that kept him sidelined early in the season.
The Lakers said team doctors will re-evaluate James in one to two weeks. This means he could be back soon, but the exact date is still uncertain.
Mid-November is still the target
ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania reports that James will not travel with the team on its upcoming five-game road trip. Charania said staff still believe his debut will come around mid-November.
That timeline lines up with the Lakers’ home game against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 18, which could be his first appearance of the season. However, Los Angeles won’t play again until Nov. 23 in Utah, giving the team the flexibility to extend his recovery if needed.
ESPN NBA countdown covers next steps for LeBron James’ Lakers season debut: pic.twitter.com/2wYSAhdOuL
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2025
Coach Redick: No exact return date yet
Head coach JJ Redick made it clear that the Lakers will not be in a rush to get their star back on the court.
“Obviously, this thing has to continue to move forward with all of his return-to-play protocols,” Redick told reporters last week. “So we don’t have, like, a target date. It’s just somewhere in the overall timeline. We’re hoping he checks all the boxes and will be back sometime in the second or third week of November.”
Powerful starts reduce stress
Even without their leader, the Lakers have thrived, starting the year off with a 7-2 record. Their depth and improved defense allow them to keep the momentum going as James recovers. This record also gives the team no reason to risk his health.
James is entering his record-setting 23rd NBA season, and the Lakers want to make sure he’s fully prepared before returning to full competition.
The Lakers have six games over the next two weeks. If LeBron does not return before then, he will miss the first 15 games – which will directly touch the 65-game threshold for year-end bonus eligibility.
Since 2004, there hasn’t been an All-NBA team without LeBron’s name on it.
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) November 6, 2025
bottom line
If his recovery goes well, fans could see LeBron return as early as November 18th. But the Lakers may prefer to wait until Nov. 23 to ensure he remains intact for the long season ahead.
