There are two key reasons for why the Los Angeles Lakers have been able to start the 2025-26 season with a 9-4 record despite LeBron James not having appeared in a game yet. Those two reasons are Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Sure, JJ Redick had gotten help from role players, but those two have been savants on the offensive end.
With both Doncic and Reaves putting up crazy scoring numbers, their chemistry on and off the court has been spotlighted. In a way, it has made some Lakers fans forget about LeBron. Some have gone as far as to say that the team doesn’t need James messing up the other two players’ chemistry. The Lakers aren’t into buying that anyway, but James is getting closer to a return with every passing day.
LeBron James might return against Utah Jazz on Tuesday night
And it seems like we’re close to finalizing the exact return date. ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin revealed that James could practice with the Lakers as soon as Monday. If he continues to get through practices without any residual effects, a Tuesday night home game against the Utah Jazz is looking increasingly promising as his return game.
That Tuesday game makes sense because it comes after a lengthy road trip which James wasn’t a part of. Getting minutes in against the Jazz could function as a tune-up for LeBron, while also allowing him to properly rest and recover since Los Angeles won’t play again until Sunday.
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