Overview
- James missed his 13th straight game on Friday but completed back‑to‑back five‑on‑five practices with the South Bay Lakers without lingering pain, per team and ESPN reports.
- Coach JJ Redick said James also logged an individual workout on Friday and looked good in his recent live work.
- With the road trip ending Saturday in Milwaukee, the plan is for James to join the main roster practice in El Segundo on Monday for further assessment.
- If his progress holds, a season debut as early as Tuesday against the Jazz is in play, which would mark the first NBA appearance by a player in a 23rd season.
- Los Angeles improved to 9-4 with a 118-104 win over the Pelicans as Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić led the offense, while medical experts caution sciatica recoveries carry re‑injury and function risks.