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LeBron James is inching closer to making his season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 40-year-old superstar has officially been cleared for contact and will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks, the team announced Thursday.
The Lakers confirmed that James, who has been sidelined with sciatica on his right side since before training camp, will not travel with the team during its upcoming five-game road trip.
Instead, he’s expected to continue rehab work in Los Angeles, with the possibility of joining the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate, for practice sessions.
“All of this fits with the long-planned return for LeBron in mid-November,” the Lakers organization said in a statement Thursday.
The cautious approach makes sense. Despite LeBron’s absence, the Lakers have been thriving, jumping out to a 7–2 start behind an explosive offensive surge.
Luka Doncic has opened the season on what some are calling a historic tear, averaging 40 points per game through five outings, while Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton have provided reliable secondary production.
When James returns, he’ll make NBA history as the first player ever to appear in 23 seasons. Even at his age, his production remains elite, last season he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game while earning All-NBA Second Team honors.
LeBron’s next potential appearance could come as early as November 18, when the Lakers return home to face the Utah Jazz.
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