Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has not played in a game this season while dealing with a right sciatica injury.

After Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Reddick revealed LeBron James is close to making a return for his regular-season debut, Hall of Fame forward and ESPN analyst Charles Barkley downplayed his injury due to sciatica. For Barkley, it's the Lakers' nice way of giving James time to adapt to his older figure.

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers (2-2) travel to Target Center to face Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2) in a regular-season NBA Basketball matchup on Wednesday.

Luka Dončić was upgraded to questionable for the Los Angeles Lakers’ road game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 31.

There is reportedly a sense around the NBA that the Lakers may not be sold on Deandre Ayton as their long-term solution at the center position.

Basketball fans anticipate a thrilling NBA clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers, with Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, will face the Timberwolves. Both teams have notable players out due to injuries.

The first week of the 2025-26 NBA season is through and, already, there’s no shortage of compelling story lines at work.

While no NBA team—and certainly not one with a legacy as rich as the Los Angeles Lakers'—hangs a banner for a 2-1 start, the Purple and Gold should be generally pleased with how they've opened the new campaign.