LeBron James Prepares for Basketball Contact as Lakers Begin Season Without Him
LeBron James is set to start contact basketball training as he embarks on his 23rd NBA season after recovering from sciatica.
LeBron James is gearing up to start contact basketball practices and is expecting a re-evaluation by the Los Angeles Lakers’ team physician within a week or two as he prepares for his landmark 23rd NBA season.
This season has seen him sidelined due to sciatica, a nerve issue affecting his lower body, preventing any participation in games or practices. The upcoming aim for recovery involves engaging in five-on-five drills, although uncertainty surrounds this timetable, especially with the Lakers embarking on a five-game away trip starting Saturday in Atlanta, where James is not projected to join.
The 40-year-old player has been focusing on his personal workouts over the last few weeks. The Lakers announced his readiness for contact drills this past Thursday, perfectly timed four weeks from the prior assessment that suggested a re-evaluation in three to four weeks.
“We don’t have a target date,” noted Lakers coach JJ Redick last week on James’ recovery progress. “It’s just somewhere in that general timeline. We hope that he’s kind of checked all the boxes and is going to be back sometime in that second or third week in November.”
Should James seek on-court training while the team travels, there’s potential for him to work with the G League affiliate at the team’s training site in El Segundo. The upcoming home game for the Lakers is scheduled for November 18.
Even without James, the Lakers have excelled, inciting excitement among fans regarding their chances as contenders - a notable reflection of their efforts since James and Anthony Davis led the franchise to its 17th championship in the bubble.
On a recent note, Luka Dončić scored 35 points as the Lakers clinched a narrow victory against the San Antonio Spurs, securing their fifth straight win at 118-116, placing their record at 7-2 without James in the line-up and despite injuries to Dončić and Austin Reaves.
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