LeBron James has missed the entire 2025–26 season with sciatica on his right side, and the wait for his return finally has a tangible milestone. Head coach JJ Redick revealed James would practice with the G League’s South Bay Lakers on Monday, per Khobi Price of the Orange County Register, Sports Illustrated reports. The update came before the Lakers’ road game at the Charlotte Hornets and signals movement toward his first action of the year.
Last week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported James has been cleared for contact basketball activities and will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks as he ramps toward full five-on-five participation, per Athlon Sports. That clearance set the stage for Monday’s South Bay session, which Redick confirmed, with Law Murray of The Athletic also noting the plan tied to the Hornets game day.
The Lakers have stayed afloat through the first 10 games without James, opening 7–3. Luka Doncic has powered that start with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game, a blistering line that has kept Los Angeles steady while LeBron works back.
What It Means Right Now for L.A.
This is the clearest indicator yet that James’ 23rd NBA season is approaching. He suffered the right-side sciatica during training camp, which delayed his debut and kept him out through the first 10 games. Even with that setback, the Lakers found early rhythm and identity around Doncic’s production and Redick’s standards.
Redick’s standards showed up in the aftermath of Saturday’s 122–102 loss at Atlanta. Los Angeles played without James, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent, and the performance drew a fiery response from the coach in his postgame presser, SI reports. That tone frames Monday’s trip to Charlotte, where the Lakers will try to reset while James hits a vital tune-up with South Bay.
The Hornets enter at 3–6, while the Lakers sit at 7–3. On the availability front, LeBron remains out with sciatica, and Reaves is questionable with a groin issue. Charlotte lists Brandon Miller, shoulder, and LaMelo Ball, ankle, as out, and Miles Bridges as questionable with a back concern, per CSB Sports. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET.
The Bigger Picture for LeBron’s Timeline
A successful practice with South Bay marks progress in a process that already includes contact clearance and an imminent re-evaluation window. That combination is exactly what Lakers fans needed to hear. It doesn’t set a hard return date, but it gives a real checkpoint tied to on-court work, not just treatment and ramp-up.
Context matters here. Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, earned All-NBA Second Team honors, and helped Los Angeles to 50 wins and the third seed, per Yard Barker. He turns 41 in December, yet his production and impact remain central to how high the Lakers can climb when the games tighten.
For now, the message is simple and verifiable. Shams cleared the lane with the contact update and re-eval timeline. Redick confirmed the South Bay practice ahead of Hornets-Lakers. The team is 7–3, Charlotte is 3–6, and the injury statuses stand as listed. The next meaningful update arrives when LeBron completes that practice and the medical staff checks the boxes that follow.
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