LeBron James is set to make his 2025-26 NBA season debut Tuesday after missing the Los Angeles Lakers’ first 14 games with sciatic nerve irritation, league sources told The Athletic.
While James is officially listed as a gametime decision for Tuesday’s game against the Utah Jazz, Lakers coach JJ Redick said James was “trending in the right direction” to play.
James was a full participant in the Lakers’ practice on Monday, his first with the team this season. He had been going through individual work throughout the season before graduating to full-contact practices with the Lakers’ G-League affiliate last week.
“It’s just been the same revolving doors, just repetition, rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing,” James said after Monday’s practice. “Just trying to get back to where I feel like myself again. It’s great to be out here today.”
The Lakers have been clear about their conservative methods with the 40-year-old James, who is entering his 23rd NBA season while still playing at unprecedented levels for a player with his experience.
The team entered the season with some hope that James would be ready for opening night, but the Lakers and James shifted priorities to a bigger-picture view this season in an effort to keep him healthy as long as possible.
“It’s uncharted territory here,” Redick said after the Lakers’ first practice this season in September. “So, I felt, and in talking with performance and in talking with (trainer) Mike (Mancias) and LeBron, like (he) probably did too much last (year) here in camp, which was great for me as a first-year head coach to get buy-in from him. But it’ll be a slower process with him leading into the first game (this season). He’s obviously got 22 years so far of wear and tear on the body, and he’s dealing with a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute. So, we’re just playing the long game with LeBron.”
James wasn’t able to play on opening night — the first time he’s missed the start of an NBA season in his career.
Without James, the Lakers have gone 10-4 despite missing both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves at times. They will play five of their next six games at home, starting with Tuesday’s contest against the Utah Jazz.
“Guys have just been — everybody enjoys being around each other and loves playing for one another,” James said Monday. “A lot of guys are sacrificing. For me, just seeing ways I can fit in organically. Right off the top, I know ways I can help this team right away when I am put back in the lineup.”
James is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers after exercising his player option last June.
“LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships,” agent Rich Paul told The Athletic in June. “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”