The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the first month of their season building momentum without the player most responsible for shaping their identity, but the picture is finally shifting.
LeBron James, who has missed all 14 games while recovering from sciatica, is expected to participate fully in practice on Monday after completing an intensive multi-day stint with the South Bay Lakers, a quiet but significant step toward his long-anticipated return.
It was an unusual move for one of the most decorated players in league history, but those who watched the sessions came away convinced.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James “looked great” throughout five-on-five work and showed no lingering pain from the nerve issue that sidelined him for training camp and the early portion of the season.
His reassignment back to the NBA roster on Sunday confirmed what the Lakers hoped privately: the 40-year-old is now on the cusp of making history as the first player to play in a 23rd NBA season.
Los Angeles enters the new week at 10-4, the result of timely scoring from Luka Doncic, steady contributions from Austin Reaves, and a resurgence from Deandre Ayton.
Their defense has tightened, their late-game execution has steadied and, remarkably, they’ve found ways to win without leaning on James‘ unmatched ability to control tempo and stabilize possessions.
The schedule now grants the Lakers a rare advantage. They play just once over the next seven days, Tuesday at home against the Utah Jazz, a window the organization has long targeted as a potential return date.
Monday’s practice will be the first time James has worked with the full group since last season.
If all goes as expected, the door opens for his season debut within days. Still, the Lakers have publicly avoided committing to any timeline. They want to ensure the nerve irritation in James‘ lower back and right side doesn’t flare up as his activity increases.
Those inside the team, though, describe him as eager and energized. His recent Instagram post, a training montage set to his newest Nike signature shoes, paired with an hourglass emoji, only added fuel to the speculation.
What his return means for the rotation
The Lakers have survived without James, but they haven’t disguised the gaps left in his absence. His playmaking, rebounding and ability to orchestrate the half-court offense are elements no one else on the roster replicates.
His return affects nearly every layer of the rotation. Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia, who absorbed expanded minutes out of necessity, will likely see reduced roles.
The Lakers will also be able to abandon some of the defense-first lineups that struggled to generate consistent scoring during their rocky early stretch on the road.
The only notable contributor still expected to remain out is Gabe Vincent, who continues to recover from a left ankle sprain.
Once he returns, Los Angeles will finally have the guard depth it envisioned, something that should ease the workload on James as he reintegrates.
A historic moment approaching
When James finally steps onto the floor, it will mark more than his season debut. It will be a milestone no player in league history has reached, as he begins his 23rd NBA season still expected to play at an All-Star level.
The Lakers do not need him to carry them as he once did, and for the first time in years, that is a luxury they’re positioned to capitalize on.
Their defense has sharpened, their offensive hierarchy is clearer, and their young contributors have rediscovered confidence without depending on their centerpiece to solve every possession.
But they know their ceiling changes the moment he returns. The Lakers have stabilized. Now comes the harder part: unlocking the version of this team that was designed around LeBron James, and seeing just how far that version can go.
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