The world continues to wait for Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James' Year 23 in the NBA to officially start.
The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player has yet to make his debut in the 2025-26 NBA season, as he is still working his way back from sciatica, which he developed early in Los Angeles' training camp.
However, it appears that James is getting closer to playing his first game this season, with Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick saying on Monday that the future Basketball Hall of Famer is “literally practicing with South Bay today,” referring to the Lakers' G League affiliate South Bay Lakers, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
The Lakers are currently in the middle of a five-game road trip that played its second leg on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. Los Angeles did not seem to miss LeBron James much in that contest. Luka Doncic and company humbled the Hornets in a 121-111 victory to improve to 8-3 through 11 games. And with that victory, the Lakers remained perfect in games after a loss this season, successfully bouncing back from a 122-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last Sunday to kick off their road trip with a thud.
Perhaps there is a chance for James to make his return to action once the Lakers finish their road trip and get back to La La Land for a Nov. 18 matchup at Crypto.com Arena versus the Utah Jazz.
But for now, the Lakers will have their focus mainly on a tough challenge ahead, as they are about to face the reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder this coming Wednesday. The New Orleans Pelicans await the Lakers in the Big Easy on Sunday before Los Angeles concludes its away stretch on Monday in Cream City versus Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
For now, the Lakers, who are ninth in the league through Monday with a 117.2 offensive rating, seem fine rolling with Doncic leading the attack and with Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura providing ample support. Doncic, who scored 38 points in the win over Charlotte, is pacing the Lakers with 37.1 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field.
