Lakers Announce Massive LeBron James Injury Update and Possible Return Timeline

Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James poses in the Arizona Wildcats jersey of his son Bryce James (6) during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James is progressing well in his rehab and has been cleared for contact basketball activity.

On top of that, the Lakers announced that the team physicians will reevaluate him in 1-2 weeks.

From the Lakers: LeBron James has progressed to contact basketball activity and will be reevaluated by team physicians in approximately 1-2 weeks. Any further updates will be provided at that time.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 6, 2025

James has yet to make his season debut due to sciatica on his right side.

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The 40-year-old superstar is soon to make his return to the court, but first, he will participate in 5-on-5 live action play.

ESPN's Shams Charania provided this update on James and his progress.

"LeBron James has been working out individually, and I'm told that the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play," Charania said. "He will not be traveling on the upcoming five-game week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend. So, it's unclear when he will be able to get that live action while the team is on the road, potentially doing it with the G League South Bay team or do the Lakers and LeBron wait for the team to get back on November 16 and then the live play process can begin then."

While that is the next step for James, the timeline for when that 5-on-5 pay will occur is unclear due to LA's upcoming road trip.

"I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating in the belief that LeBron James' debut will be around mid-November, but this is uncharted territory. He turns 41 next month, he's in his 23rd record NBA season, and that's why Rob Pelinka's three signings this offseason: Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart have been so important, paying dividends with the depth without one of the best players of all time in LeBron James."

More news: Is Austin Reaves Pricing Himself Out of a Return to the Lakers?

Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on the next steps in LeBron James' Lakers season debut process: pic.twitter.com/2wYSAhdOuL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2025

James is soon to enter his unprecedented 23rd season in the league. He is waiting patiently for his time, and it will arrive soon.

In the meantime, the Lakers are playing phenomenal basketball and are 7-2 without James in the lineup. LA has won five games in a row and is being led by their other two stars, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

James' return to the lineup will do wonders for the purple and gold. A banged-up Lakers team is looking great to start the season, and if this is a sign of things to come, a healthy Lakers team could make some serious noise in the West and throughout the league.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.