The Los Angeles Lakers have been patiently anticipating the return of their NBA superstar, LeBron James, to the lineup. The basketball legend has been recovering from sciatica since the start of the season, and the Lakers, led by fellow superstar Luka Doncic, have posted a 10-4 record in his absence.
That included last night’s road victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, with Luka recording 41 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. Teammates Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves also chipped in a combined 45 points in the Lakers’ win.
While the team’s chemistry has seemed to be working well without James in the lineup, many believe having the 40-year-old superstar back will further bolster their chances of success. A recent announcement gives the Lakers and their fans some very encouraging news about King James’ imminent return.
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According to ESPN’s NBA insider, Shams Charania (via sources), LeBron was recently “reassigned back to the Lakers from NBA G League South Bay” and will fully participate in the team’s practice on Monday.
The update arrives after LeBron completed several days of practice and “5-on-5 sessions” with the G League affiliate team. According to Shams, LeBron’s debut is “nearing.”
LeBron hasn’t played all season due to sciatica, and it’s unknown how effective he’ll be when he’s integrated into the Lakers’ lineup. However, his stats have remained elite for a player of his age. In his 2024-25 campaign, LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. In his 22nd season, most expect he’ll bring more of the same.
His star teammate as of last season, Luka Doncic, currently leads the league in scoring with 34.4 points per game and also appears fifth on the league’s assists leaders, with 8.9 per game. In addition, guard Marcus Smart ranks third in steals at 2.2 per game, showing how much talent the team might already possess.
Despite the Lakers’ early success without LeBron, it’s also tough to argue against having a player of his caliber back, given his basketball IQ and overall skill set, which can instantly elevate any team he’s on.
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