LeBron James to Miss Lakers’ Upcoming Road Trip
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will not join the team for their five-game road trip starting Saturday as he recovers from sciatica on his right side, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Injury Rehabilitation and Timeline
Charania noted that James’ next step in rehab is participating in 5-on-5 live play, which might occur against G League players or after the team returns from the road trip in November. Lakers personnel still expect James to make his season debut around mid-November.
Background on Injury
- In September, the Lakers revealed James was dealing with nerve irritation in his glute, causing him to miss the preseason.
- He was also sidelined for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors because of right-side sciatica.
- In mid-October, James was aiming for a mid-November return.
Team Performance Without James
The Lakers have started the season with a 6-2 record without James on the court.
Durability and Age Considerations
Despite being the oldest player in the league at 41, James has been remarkably durable in recent seasons:
- Played 71 games two years ago.
- Appeared in 70 games during the 2024-25 season, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.
However, at his age, minor injuries are more likely to occur, as shown early this year.
Team Depth
The Lakers benefit from not having to rely excessively on James thanks to the presence of their other star, Luka Dončić.
“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
Author’s summary: LeBron James is sidelined with sciatica and expected to miss the Lakers’ upcoming road trip, with a tentative return in mid-November while the team manages well without him.