LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers announced promising news regarding LeBron James’ sciatica injury that has kept him sidelined to start the season. The team announced early Thursday morning that he has progressed to contact basketball activity.
James will be reevaluated by team physicians in one to two weeks, and the team will give further updates regarding his injury timeframe and return in his NBA record 23rd season.
BREAKING:
The #Lakers say LeBron James has progressed to contact basketball activity and will be reevaluated by team physicians in 1-2 weeks.
Further updates will be provided at that time frame.
— Carlos Yakimowich (@CarlosYakJr) November 6, 2025
To give a closer perspective of how banged up their injury front has been, Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt are the only three players to play in all nine games for the Lakers, excluding players who had DNPs.
Despite the cards they’ve been dealt, the Lakers sit at No. 2 in the Western Conference with a 7-2 record behind a play-hard mindset molded by coach JJ Redick, currently riding a five-game win streak tied for the longest in the NBA (with HOU).
“Our group is so connected right now; we were able to get back together, and there was no quitting,” Redick said following L.A.’s 118-116 win over the Spurs on Wednesday.
And doing so without their stars, Luka Dončić, James, and Austin Reaves, yet to have any on-court time together, let alone in a game. A hope that Dončić sees as big potential for them once they can all be on the floor together.
“I’m enjoying it very much playing with these guys. AR can’t play, we’re still missing Bron, so this team has big potential,” Dončić said.
James’ injury update comes at a perfect time for the Lakers, whose chemistry continues to blossom game by game despite being shorthanded. Once this squad is fully intact, their true potential that Dončić sees will be put to the test as the top dogs of a high-powered West.