LeBron James is reportedly gearing up to play five-on-five. The 40-year-old superstar’s 2025/26 season debut has been delayed by sciatica on his right side.
According to the Lakers, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer has been cleared for contact work and will be reevaluated in one-to-two weeks (Twitter link via Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group).
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- The team recorded an impressive victory on Wednesday against San Antonio despite missing James and Austin Reaves (right groin soreness), writes Law Murray of The Athletic. Luka Doncic had a poor shooting night, but still finished with game highs of 35 points, 13 assists and five steals (he also contributed nine rebounds and two blocks).
- Perhaps more importantly, Deandre Ayton (22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 10 rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and zero turnovers) outdueled Victor Wembanyama (19 points on 5-of-14 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and five turnovers before fouling out) in the battle of former No. 1 overall picks, Murray notes. “That’s something I’ve been wanting to show, especially to my coaching staff as well,” Ayton said of his defense. “And they trust me to really go out there and guard one or two dribbles before my help come. And yeah, I’ll be good, comfortable out there. I know my help coming, so I’m straight.”
- Veteran guard Marcus Smart nearly blew the game after committing a careless turnover in the final seconds, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Smart stepped on the end line as he attempted to make an inbounds pass. “To have that call at the end of the game, 1.2 [seconds], we got a guy wide open, all he’s got to do is catch it and the ballgame is over,” Smart said. “It’s kind of crazy, but as a 12-year vet, I can’t make that mistake. I take full ownership of it. My teammates understand. They are going to joke with me. They are going to let me hear about it. But it will never happen again.”
- Within an in-depth story for ESPN.com, McMenamin writes that Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding aspires to be the first female head coach in NBA history. Governor Jeanie Buss believes Harding has all the tools for the job. “She’s a professional, she knows the game, she is a great communicator, she brings a level of energy, positivity. She is just great,” Buss told ESPN. “I’m just thrilled that she is part of our staff. But I understand if people are going to try to pick her off because she’s just that good.”
I know its early. Lakers have to be thrilled with Ayton stats so far. With Bron playing he could see less opportunities. Hopefully not right, only 12 shots a gm.
So far this yr — .651% FG, 17.4 pts, 8.4 reb
Looking like an epic race in the West this season. Lakers looking fantastic but so do half a dozen other teams.
San Antonio is a year away. I believe they will be a top 4C but losing the second round. I believe the Lakers will make it to the second round as well. Minnesota just isn’t that good. They haven’t approved their team. They don’t have a point guard and as much as I loved even some of their players is just not going to work all that well. Houston will struggle in the playoffs If they don’t get a point guard but I believe they’ll make a trade or make something happen so I expect them to be in the second round too.
Okc/Lakers
Houston/Denver
Dark horse clippers If they can survive the grind of the regular season with everybody healthy, I believe it will be between the clippers and the Lakers to make the second round.
“Is this the best Luka Dončić we’ve ever seen? The Lakers star is on a historic season-opening heater“
link to sports.yahoo.com
Luka yes. Ayton is not a bad player just needs rhythm. The team does not need LeBron they will play worse. Luka, AR and LeBron are all challenged defensively. We have said over and over if you surround luka with defensive players you should be great and okay. However, having all three of them on the floor where it seems like a good idea because you have more scores on the floor, you are taking the ball out of one of their hands and then adding less defense on the floor. Plus with the three of them, I truly believe Aiden is going to be the one that hurts the most losing those touches in his rhythm. If one of them (LeBron) came of the bench (he will never do) I think they could keep the same type of rhythm they have going on. I said this in the beginning of the year they no longer needed LeBron and LeBron would do better finding a different team but I just don’t see how it works when he comes back because you’re going to remove one of the defenders off the court.
I hope Lebron’s back can hold up. Sciatica sucks.