LeBron James Official Estimated Return Date Revealed

LeBron James is headed into an unprecedented 23rd season in the NBA in 2025/26, and after the Los Angeles Lakers changed up their team this off-season, hope is high for them this year. However, James is reportedly dealing with some injuries, and at 41-years of age, recovery time isn't quite as swift as it used to be for the superstar forward.

Now, ESPN are reporting on his potential return date, stating that James is set to be 'patient' with his recovery, as they estimate he won't return to the NBA until mid-November at the earliest.

If James misses more time than this, it would be a major blow to the Lakers, who have set their team up for success around the duo of James and Luka Doncic, giving them one of the best 1-2 punches in the entire NBA. However, they've given themselves plenty of depth too, and with Austin Reaves, DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia around Doncic, they can survive without him for a few weeks. 

Unfortunately for James, the injuries keep piling up late in his career, and while he was still productive for much of the 2024/25 campaign, it's easy to see why some are worried about the possibility he doesn't stay healthy for a full season. For now though, he's simply focused on getting healthy ahead of the new year, and while he won't be available for at least the first month, if James is back for the playoffs, the Lakers will be happy.