Dave McMenamin provides information on LeBron James’ injury, hinting at a possible return date

As it is Los Angeles Lakers continue their five-game road trip, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin provided a most encouraging update still on LeBron James is recovering from a sciatica injury it kept him out of training camp. With The Lakers (8-4) will face the New Orleans Pelicans (2-9) on Friday as part of their NBA Cup schedule, signs point to James getting closer to his long-awaited season debut.

McMenamin made the announcement Friday on NBA Today James has reached a significant milestone in his rehabilitation progress.

“As big as Wednesday’s news was that LeBron was playing five-on-five for the first time in almost six months since the playoffs against Minnesota,” McMenamin said, “Thursday was even bigger because he was able to get through practice. I’ve been told by multiple sources that he was a full participant. They played five-on-five and he was able to play on the right side, with no back pain.”

According to McMenamin, the Lakers are now monitoring how James reacts to the increased workload in the coming days. With the team returning from a road trip early next week, James could be in position to participate in a full practice session with the starting lineup on Monday. From there, the possibility of a return in the season becomes more realistic.

“We’re at a point now where we can look at next week’s schedule and say, ‘Hey, that could be the game where we see LeBron James make his season debut.’@mcten share an update with @malika_andrevs on LeBron’s potential regular season start with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/IdCKCm3ZkS

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 14, 2025

“If he continues to improve,” McMenamin said, “Tuesday’s the game … now we’re at a point where we could look at next week’s schedule and say hey, that could be the game where we see LeBron James make his season debut.”

LeBron James is closing in on a historic debut in his 23rd season as the Lakers monitor his progress

If James returns next week, he will immediately make league history as the first NBA player ever to appear in a 23rd season.

James has been sidelined since early October with nerve irritation from a sciatica problem, an injury that has delayed the start of what could be a record-setting season. Even at the age of 22 last season, the 40-year-old remained one of the league’s most productive players. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and one steal per game, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from the bench in 70 appearances.

His eventual return would give the Lakers a big boost along with stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who have kept Los Angeles atop the Western Conference standings despite James’ absence. The Lakers enter Friday’s matchup with the Pelicans at 8-4, off to a strong start thanks to Doncic’s MVP-level production and Reaves’ breakout scoring.

Los Angeles continues the road trip on Friday at 8:00 PM ET before returning home next week — a stretch that could finally feature the long-awaited return of one of the game’s greatest players.