LeBron James’s Absence from Lakers' Game Against San Antonio Spurs
LeBron James will not play in the Lakers’ game versus the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. At 40 years old, the NBA's all-time points leader has yet to start his 23rd season due to ongoing recovery from a persistent sciatica problem.
Update on LeBron James’s Recovery and Return
Fans received encouraging news as LeBron appears close to regaining full fitness. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Lakers are optimistic about James’s return around mid-November, matching the timeline shared about three weeks ago.
“Lakers officials are still operating under the belief that James’s comeback is imminent, though this remains uncharted territory for a nearly 41-year-old player in his 23rd NBA season,” said Charania on NBA Countdown.
Lakers’ Performance During LeBron’s Absence
Despite his absence, the Lakers have started strong with a 6–2 record, fueled by impressive performances from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic is averaging 41.3 points over four games, while Reaves contributes 31.1 points across seven games.
New acquisitions DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have also been key in maintaining team depth during James’s recovery.
Next Steps for LeBron James
LeBron is expected to advance to full-contact five-on-five practices soon, but he will likely miss the Lakers’ upcoming five-game road trip.
Author's summary: LeBron James is progressing well in rehab from sciatica and is expected to return mid-November, while the Lakers maintain strong performance without him.