The Los Angeles Lakers started the 2025-26 NBA season without their main star, LeBron James. The 6-foot-9 forward is expected to miss at least three weeks of action and will likely return to the lineup sometime in November. This is the first time that James did not suit up for the start of the campaign, ending his 21-year streak.
Despite his absence, the Lakers have a 2-1 record to start the new year. Thanks to All-Star guard Luka Doncic, who had back-to-back 40-point games in the first two games. Austin Reaves also stepped up his game and had 51 points on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. But despite the high-scoring performances of both Doncic and Reaves, the obvious absence of King James is obvious.
On Monday, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin gave an update on James’ potential return to the lineup. According to McMenamin, who talked about the star forward’s injury on “NBA Today,” he said that the four-time champion’s recovery is “moving in the right direction.”
It’s still possible that LeBron James may make a comeback in mid-November.
“I’m told that we’re still in the range of about three more weeks before he would be targeting a return sometime in mid-November,” McMenamin said. “Now, I have been told by multiple sources over the last several days that his rehab and all of the progress to get back to that return date is moving in the right direction. So there are good vibes around it.”
Dave on Lebron:
"I'm told that we're still in the range of about 3 more weeks before he would be targeting a return sometime in mid-November. I have been told by multiple sources over the last several days that his rehab and all of the process to get back to that return date is… pic.twitter.com/J9sRAMu6qS
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 27, 2025
James did not play in the preseason and wasn’t active in the Lakers’ training camp. Although he’s 40, he’s still one of the most important players for the team this season.
Danny Green thinks the 2025-26 season could be LeBron James’ final campaign
Aside from the question of when he’ll return on the court, one of the main questions for LeBron James this season is if he’ll retire. He’s playing in his 23rd season, and there’s a chance that he could end his career soon.
According to his former teammate, Danny Green, there’s a chance that the four-time MVP could call it quits this season. If not this year, Green predicts that James will have his 24th season as the final year for him.
“It depends on whether he retires after this year. I think that moment will come either after this year or after next year – his body will let him know,” Green said.
“Missing the start of this season definitely takes a toll on him mentally, and not being able to potentially make an All-NBA team would definitely impact him. LeBron is the type of guy who takes a lot of pride in his availability and his body. When things start happening and he can’t be out there on the floor every night, that’s when I think the gears will begin turning regarding retirement.”
There’s nothing left for the star forward to prove, as he’s clearly had a legendary career in the NBA.
For other sports-related content:
Follow me on- X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at reignamuraonba@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
