The Los Angeles Lakers plan to have LeBron James participate without restrictions in Monday’s practice after the star forward completed several days of five-on-five sessions with the South Bay Lakers, the club’s G League affiliate.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Saturday that the 20-year veteran has been reassigned to the NBA roster and will practice at the team’s El Segundo facility as he continues to recover from right-side sciatica. James has yet to appear in a game this season, the first time he has missed an Opening Night in his career.
Los Angeles has opened the schedule 10-4 while exercising caution with the 40-year-old, whose targeted return has long been mid-November. The Lakers host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday; if James finishes Monday’s workout without setbacks, that contest could mark his season debut. Should additional recovery time be needed, the next opportunity would be Sunday, also against Utah, this time in Salt Lake City.
Head coach Darvin Ham has indicated it will take several games for the four-time MVP to regain full game conditioning and mesh with a roster that has succeeded early in his absence.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić echoed league-wide anticipation of James’s return. “We can’t wait. All of us can’t wait,” Dončić said. “It’s Bron, so it’s always good to have him back. Hopefully soon.”
Source: Lakers Nation
