Ahead of a five-game road swing, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic said the entire roster is eager for LeBron James to make his season debut, which the club hopes will come in mid-November.
“We can’t wait. All of us can’t wait. It’s Bron, so it’s always good to have him back,” Doncic told Spectrum SportsNet.
James has missed every game this season while treating lower-back sciatica. The 40-year-old forward is expected to rehearse with the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League during the trip as part of his ramp-up to live action.
The Lakers have opened the 2025-26 campaign with a winning record despite a lengthy injury list that has included Doncic, Austin Reaves and James. “We’ve been on the road a lot this season, and it’s always next-man-up mentality,” Doncic said. “I think this team has big potential.”
James averaged better than 39 percent from three-point range over the previous two seasons and remains one of the club’s top defensive communicators, attributes head coach JJ Redick believes will boost an already productive offense led by Doncic and Reaves.
Redick added that he is “hopeful” rookie forward Adou Thiero will log his first NBA minutes during the same road trip.
Source: Lakers Nation
