After being sidelined to start the season, Lakers star LeBron James is expected to take a significant step this week toward his eventual season debut.
ESPN first reported on Sunday that James will practice with the Lakers on Monday at their El Segundo practice facility.
Monday’s session will be the first practice of the season for James, who’s been sidelined because of sciatica on his right side.
“There’s a lot of excitement to the things that we can do as a group,” Austin Reaves said after Saturday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “And I spoke about it the other day, y’all know how he is. He analyzes everything to a tee. I’m sure he’s sitting at his house while we’re playing, probably drinking a little bit of wine and watching the game and seeing what exactly he can do to help this team be successful. Obviously, it’s LeBron and just his presence and his ability is going to lift the team. But he’s a winner at the end of the day and he has been his whole career and I expect him to do nothing but come in and be one of the best players.”
James, who didn’t travel with the Lakers for their five-game trip that ended with Saturday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks, practiced with the organization’s South Bay G League affiliate and had individual training sessions while the team was away.
Coach JJ Redick told reporters during the trip that he heard James, who turns 41 next month, was “moving well” and looked good with South Bay.
It isn’t yet known when James will make his season debut.
The Lakers have one game this week, hosting the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. Their next game after Tuesday isn’t until next Sunday against the Jazz in Salt Lake City.
The Lakers have gotten off to a 10-4 start to the season without James, who’ll become the first player to have played 23 NBA seasons when he makes his debut.
“It’s a confidence boost for the group,” Redick said of the team’s start in light of James being sidelined. “For certain players who, when we’re fully healthy, may not play a ton of minutes or may not even be part of the rotation, it gives them a reference point. It’s great for the group with the possibility of us getting healthy, that certainly makes you excited.”
In light of the Lakers being short-handed at the end of the trip, with Rui Hachimura (calf) and Marcus Smart (illness) sitting out of Saturday’s game in addition to the absences of James and Gabe Vincent (ankle), Bronny James started for the Lakers against the Bucks.
“How about Bronny James starting in the NBA and LeBron’s assigned to the G League? That’s awesome,” Reaves said.
Related Articles
Luka Doncic scores 41 as Lakers pummel Bucks Bronny James starts 1st game of season for short-handed Lakers against Bucks Lakers stave off Pelicans for 2nd NBA Cup victory Lakers rookie Adou Thiero available to make NBA debut Luka Doncic reaffirms focus on Lakers, who look to ‘course correct’Hence then, the article about lakers lebron james expected to return to practice was published today ( ) and is available on Los Angeles Daily News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Lakers’ LeBron James expected to return to practice )
Also on site :