Overview
- James practiced with the South Bay Lakers for a second straight day on Thursday and reported no residual pain, per ESPN.
- Head coach JJ Redick said the first session included roughly 12–15 live, full-contact possessions and that James looked good and moved well.
- The assignment to South Bay enables controlled five-on-five work while the Lakers finish a five-game road trip.
- If progress continues, James could join the Lakers’ practice on Monday; reporting frames Nov. 18 vs. the Jazz as the earliest realistic return, with Nov. 25 vs. the Clippers as another option.
- A return would make James the first NBA player to appear in a 23rd season, as the 8-4 Lakers have stayed competitive behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.