LeBron James to Miss Lakers' Upcoming Road Trip
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will sit out the team’s upcoming five-game road trip starting Saturday due to sciatica affecting his right side, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Injury and Recovery Timeline
The next phase in James' rehabilitation is participating in 5-on-5 live play. This could occur either in practice against G League players or once the Lakers return from their road trip later in November.
Team staff continue to believe James will make his season debut around mid-November.
Background on James’ Injury
- The Lakers announced in September that James was suffering from nerve irritation in his glute, sidelining him for the preseason.
- He also missed the season opener against the Golden State Warriors due to sciatica on his right side.
- In mid-October, Charania reported James was aiming for a return in mid-November.
Lakers’ Performance Without James
The Lakers have started the season strong with a 6-2 record despite James' absence.
LeBron James' Longevity and Recent Performance
At 41 years old, James remains the oldest player in the NBA but has shown remarkable durability. He played 71 games two seasons ago and 70 games in the 2024-25 season, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Minor injuries are natural at his age, and the current sciatica is an early-career setback.
Team Dynamics
Thankfully for the Lakers, they aren't solely dependent on James thanks to the contributions of their other star, Luka Dončić.
“The next step for James in his rehab is 5-on-5 live play, which could come against G League players or when Los Angeles returns from the road trip.” – Shams Charania
“Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief that James' debut will come around mid-November.” – Shams Charania
Author's summary: LeBron James will miss the Lakers’ upcoming road trip due to sciatica but is expected to return mid-November, as the team continues to perform strongly without him.