LeBron James Misses Lakers Game vs San Antonio Spurs
LeBron James did not play in the Lakers' Wednesday game against the San Antonio Spurs. The 40-year-old NBA scoring leader has yet to start his 23rd season as he recovers from a persistent sciatica injury.
Positive Update on LeBron's Recovery
Despite the delay, there is encouraging news for LeBron and Lakers fans. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are hopeful James will return to the court around mid-November, matching the timeline shared three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent,” Charania said on NBA Countdown, adding the situation is “uncharted territory” for a player nearing 41 years old in a record 23rd NBA season.
Lakers' Performance Without LeBron
The team has performed well despite LeBron’s absence, starting the season with a 6–2 record. Much of this success is credited to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves’ strong offensive contributions.
- Luka Doncic is averaging 41.3 points per game over four games
- Austin Reaves is scoring 31.1 points per game across seven games
New offseason additions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have also provided vital depth during LeBron’s rehab.
Next Steps for LeBron James
LeBron is expected to progress to full five-on-five contact practice soon. However, he will likely miss the upcoming five-game Lakers road trip as he continues his recovery.
Author's Summary: LeBron James is close to returning from sciatica but will miss the Lakers' next few games as he prepares to resume full-contact practice around mid-November.