LeBron James has advanced to contact basketball activity, according to the Los Angeles Lakers . As per the same announcement, the team doctors will reevaluate him in one to two weeks. The Lakers have had a strong start to the 2025–26 season, and once James returns to the court, the squad might be much better.
ESPN's Shams Charania also reported the same on Thursday. James will next need to be cleared for 5-on-5 play. James' earliest potential return date is still November 18 against the Jazz. According to a Charania report on Wednesday, James will not travel on Los Angeles' five-game road trip.
LeBron James’ careful and planned comeback fuels quiet optimism in the L.A. Lakers camp
LeBron James, the star forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, is making good progress in his recovery and has been given the all-clear to play contact basketball. The Lakers also declared that he will be reassessed by the team doctors in one to two weeks.
Sciatica has kept James out of action since the beginning of the season, but rumor has it that he will make a comeback somewhere in mid-November. The Lakers don't need to rush James back until he is fully recovered because they were able to succeed without him.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, James' rehabilitation has been progressing well, and his next step is to take part in live 5-on-5 competition:
“LeBron James has been working out individually and I’m told the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play. And he will not be traveling on the Lakers’ upcoming five-game, week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend. So it’s unclear whether he’s going to 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 Nov. 16th and then the live play process can begin then…”
He continued:
“I was told today that Lakers’ personnel are still operating under the belief 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.”
The looming road trip complicates things, but Los Angeles can afford to wait as long as necessary. It's most important to have James healthy for the regular season, so it'll be worth monitoring his rehab over the next few weeks. He will soon be back and ready to give his best.
Also read: LeBron James honors late NBA legend Kobe Bryant on his 47th birthday with a heartfelt tribute and memories
ESPN's Shams Charania also reported the same on Thursday. James will next need to be cleared for 5-on-5 play. James' earliest potential return date is still November 18 against the Jazz. According to a Charania report on Wednesday, James will not travel on Los Angeles' five-game road trip.
LeBron James’ careful and planned comeback fuels quiet optimism in the L.A. Lakers camp
LeBron James, the star forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, is making good progress in his recovery and has been given the all-clear to play contact basketball. The Lakers also declared that he will be reassessed by the team doctors in one to two weeks.
Sciatica has kept James out of action since the beginning of the season, but rumor has it that he will make a comeback somewhere in mid-November. The Lakers don't need to rush James back until he is fully recovered because they were able to succeed without him.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, James' rehabilitation has been progressing well, and his next step is to take part in live 5-on-5 competition:
“LeBron James has been working out individually and I’m told the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play. And he will not be traveling on the Lakers’ upcoming five-game, week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend. So it’s unclear whether he’s going to 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 Nov. 16th and then the live play process can begin then…”
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
He continued:
“I was told today that Lakers’ personnel are still operating under the belief 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.”
The looming road trip complicates things, but Los Angeles can afford to wait as long as necessary. It's most important to have James healthy for the regular season, so it'll be worth monitoring his rehab over the next few weeks. He will soon be back and ready to give his best.
Also read: LeBron James honors late NBA legend Kobe Bryant on his 47th birthday with a heartfelt tribute and memories
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