CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — LeBron James He will practice with the G League's South Bay Lakers this week as he prepares to begin his unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
Los Angeles Lakers Coach JJ Redick revealed the plan for James, 40, on Monday ahead of his team's road game against the Charlotte Hornets. Redick initially said James “literally practiced with South Bay today,” but the team later clarified that the practice would take place later in the week because the South Bay team had Monday off.
James has not yet practiced or played for the Lakers this season after developing sciatica early in training camp. The team declined to provide a timetable for James' recovery, and James has spoken little to reporters since media day in late September.
The Lakers started the season impressively with a 7-2 record, despite serious injury problems for James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
After dispatching the similarly undermanned Atlanta Hawks last weekend, the Lakers are playing the second game of a five-game road trip to Charlotte.
James is not currently expected to join the Lakers on the road trip, but Reeves returned to the lineup against the Hornets after missing three games with a hamstring injury.
Los Angeles' next home game is Nov. 18 against Utah.
When James takes the court this season, he will break the record for most seasons played in the NBA. The leading scorer in NBA history began his career in October 2003, less than a year before the birth of Bronny James, his oldest son and current teammate.
