Photo: Peter Baba

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is targeting a mid-November return for the 2025–26 season, according to NBA insider Shams Charania on NBA Today. Charania reported that the team plans to re-evaluate James around October 30, with a patient approach to his recovery from a right-sided sciatica issue.

James first suffered the nerve condition during an on-court workout in late July or early August, preventing a normal offseason routine, Charania said. The 40-year-old forward has been managing the injury for more than two months, making this an unusually long rehab period for the veteran.

“The ramp-up process for this will involve a lot of basketball shape conditioning work,” Charania explained. He added that James’ age and career stage—turning 41 in December in his 23rd NBA season—factor into the timeline for a cautious return.

The Lakers confirmed James will miss the start of the season, including the opening night matchup against the Golden State Warriors on October 21 at Crypto.com Arena. Head coach JJ Redick is relying on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to lead the offense in his absence. Los Angeles entered the preseason with a 1–4 record, struggling to find rhythm without their veteran leader.

Sciatica, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, can produce pain, tingling, and weakness down the leg. Recovery varies depending on inflammation and response to treatment. Charania emphasized that James’ absence reflects the severity of the issue and the organization’s commitment to a cautious return.

James’ re-evaluation at the end of October will determine whether he can return before mid-November. If he follows the projected timeline, fans could see him back on the court roughly a month into the regular season.

The Lakers’ upcoming schedule includes a mix of home and road games against teams like Minnesota, Portland, and Memphis before mid-November. The team will continue managing minutes and health for Reaves, Dončić, and other key contributors while James rehabs.