The Los Angeles Lakers had to start the 2025-26 season without LeBron James, who is dealing with a sciatica on his right side.
James starting experiencing issues during an offseason workout and did not participate in training camp or preseason.
Los Angeles has managed to stay afloat without James, though the schedule will get harder in the coming months. Getting James back sooner than later would go a long way in ensuring the Lakers don’t slip down the standings.
Prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach JJ Redick said he was hopeful James could return in the middle of November, via Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group:
“We’re probably somewhere right around that timeline to hopefully get him back in the lineup,” Redick said.