LeBron James to Miss Lakers' Road Trip Amid Sciatica Recovery
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will sit out the upcoming five-game road trip starting Saturday as he continues to recover from sciatica on his right side, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Recovery Progress and Timeline
Charania reported that the next stage of James’ rehabilitation will be 5-on-5 live action, which could take place against G League players or when the Lakers return home in November.
"The Lakers personnel are operating under the belief that James' debut will come around mid-November," Charania said.
Background on the Injury
In September, the Lakers disclosed that James was managing nerve irritation in his glute, which kept him out of the preseason. The team later confirmed that the sciatica issue would also sideline him for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Recent Performance and Durability
James, now 41 years old and the oldest player in the league, has been remarkably resilient. He appeared in 71 games two seasons ago and 70 during the 2024–25 campaign, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. Minor injuries are expected at his stage, but his consistent availability has been key for the Lakers.
Lakers’ Current Form Without James
Despite James’ absence, the Lakers have opened the season with a 6–2 record. The presence of star Luka Dončić has helped ensure the team remains competitive without heavily depending on James during his recovery.
Author’s Summary
LeBron James remains sidelined by sciatica but is expected to return by mid-November, with the Lakers maintaining strong form thanks to Luka Dončić’s leadership.