LeBron James Returns to Lakers Practice Amid Sciatica Recovery, Jokes About Austin Reaves

At 40 years old, LeBron James is doing something most athletes half his age wouldn’t dare: showing up to practice after months of pain, and cracking jokes about it. On a quiet Monday morning at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, the four-time NBA MVP stepped onto the court for the first time in months—not to play, but to move, stretch, and, according to reports, rib his teammate Austin Reaves about his G League roots. It’s not a comeback yet. But it’s the closest thing to one the Los Angeles Lakers have seen this season.

Still Out, But Moving Again

LeBron James hasn’t played a single minute in the 2024-2025 NBA season. Not one. Not in the opener. Not in the 12th game. Not even in the back-to-backs where the Lakers could’ve used his gravity on the floor. The reason? Sciatica—a nerve condition that sends shooting pain down the leg, often triggered by a herniated disc or spinal compression. For a man who’s logged over 58,000 minutes in the NBA, the idea of sitting still is unnatural. Yet here he is, watching from the sidelines, rehabbing in silence, until now.

His return to practice isn’t a guarantee of game action. But it’s a signal. The Lakers have gone 5-8 without him. Their offense, once a well-oiled machine, has sputtered. The bench, once a strength, has looked overmatched. And while Austin Reaves has stepped up—averaging 18.3 points and 4.8 assists in James’ absence—the team knows who holds the keys to their championship hopes.

The G League Joke That Broke the Tension

During a post-practice media session, James opened up—not in a press conference, not in a scripted interview, but in the kind of offhand, locker-room banter that only teammates and reporters who’ve been around long enough understand. The topic? Reaves.

"You remember when you were dunking on guys in Oklahoma City?" James reportedly said, smirking. "Now you’re out here trying to guard me in practice. Man, you’ve come a long way."

Reaves, 25, spent the 2021-2022 season with the Oklahoma City Blue, the NBA Gatorade League affiliate of the Thunder. He was a two-way player then—scrappy, undersized, but relentless. He wasn’t even on an NBA roster until the Lakers gave him a shot in 2022. Now, he’s their second-leading scorer. James’ joke wasn’t cruel. It was affectionate. It was the kind of thing only a veteran leader says to remind a younger player: Look how far you’ve come. And you’re still not done.

The moment mattered because it showed James wasn’t just physically returning—he was mentally reengaging. The Lakers have been careful not to rush him. Coach JJ Redick, in his first season at the helm, has repeatedly said James’ health is "the priority," not the win-loss record. But the team’s rhythm has suffered. Without James, they rank 24th in offensive efficiency. With him, they’ve been top-five for nearly two decades.

What Sciatica Really Means for a 40-Year-Old Legend

Sciatica isn’t a broken bone. It’s not a sprain. It’s a nerve whispering, then screaming. For younger players, it’s often treated with rest and PT. For James? It’s a battle against time, gravity, and the cumulative wear of 21 NBA seasons. He’s had ankle sprains, knee issues, shoulder strains—but sciatica is different. It doesn’t just hurt. It steals mobility. It makes standing up from a chair feel like climbing a mountain.

There’s no public record of James undergoing surgery. That suggests a conservative approach: physical therapy, anti-inflammatory protocols, core strengthening, and—most importantly—patience. The Lakers’ medical staff, led by team physician Dr. Steven Shin, is known for its meticulous, long-term planning. James’ return to practice likely means he’s cleared for non-contact drills. Full scrimmages? Not yet. Game readiness? Still weeks away.

Historically, NBA players over 40 with sciatica rarely return to full form. Michael Jordan, at 38, dealt with back issues. Vince Carter, 40, played through nerve pain in 2020. But none had James’ workload. He’s the only player in NBA history to play in four different decades. He’s also the only one to average 25+ points, 7+ rebounds, and 7+ assists at age 39. That’s not just talent. That’s biology defying expectation.

What’s Next for the Lakers?

The Lakers face a brutal stretch: seven games in 11 days starting December 10, including road trips to Phoenix, Denver, and Sacramento—all playoff-caliber teams. If James doesn’t return by then, the Lakers’ playoff chances plummet. If he does? They instantly become contenders again. The team has no official timeline. No target date. No "targeted return" statement. That’s intentional. The organization knows one thing: pushing him too soon risks more than a lost season—it risks his legacy.

James’ presence alone changes everything. Defenses collapse. Passes find open shooters. The energy in the arena shifts. Even in practice, his mere presence lifts the tempo. Reaves said after Monday’s session, "When he’s out there, you play harder. Not because you’re scared of him—but because you want to be worthy of playing next to him."

Behind the Scenes: The Lakers’ Quiet Leadership

While the world watches James’ every move, the real story is happening behind closed doors. Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ controlling owner and president, has made it clear this isn’t about stats or headlines. It’s about legacy. The team’s front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, has quietly reshaped the roster around James’ timeline—trading for defensive specialists, signing veteran depth, and avoiding risky contracts. They’re playing the long game.

And James? He’s playing it too. He didn’t need to return to practice. He could’ve waited until he was 100% ready. But he showed up. He joked. He moved. He reminded everyone that even legends have to earn their comebacks—one step, one rep, one joke at a time.