The Los Angeles Lakers are 2-2 to start 2025-26. That’s hardly the record they want to have, as they’d be 4-0 if it were up to them. Even so, they’re playing at or above expectations considering the circumstances. To that point, four-time league MVP LeBron James has yet to make his season debut as he continues to recover from nerve injuries. Luka Doncic, who has taken James’s throne as the franchise’s king, has missed the past two games with a sprained finger.
Lakers: Important Injury Updates For LeBron James, Luka Doncic
On Wednesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided important updates on James and Doncic’s health statuses.
James, who didn’t suit up at all in the preseason, has no set return date. However, the team is targeting the second or third week of November for the debut of his record-breaking 23rd NBA season. This generally aligns with the original prognosis, as James was expected to be out until mid-November.
Doncic, who started off the season running a clinic, is day to day. The swelling in his finger was significant but it’s been improving, which they obviously consider a positive sign. With that being said, Doncic isn’t currently on the team’s two-game road trip, and may not be available against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
He said the sprained finger on Doncic’s left hand has gone from double its normal size to 1.5x its normal size, so that is progress. Said Doncic remains day to day. LAL plays Memphis on Friday and Doncic is not currently on the trip with the team. https://t.co/Y352g09MAF
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 30, 2025
Thus, it appears as if L.A.’s offense will be in Austin Reaves‘s hand for at least one more night. Not that the Lakers have a problem with that, as the 27-year-old is averaging an eye-popping 35.8 points and 8.5 assists per game. On Sunday, he scored a career-high 51 points against the Sacramento Kings in a historic affair.
What’s Happening With Adou Thiero?
James and Doncic’s health will have the largest bearing on how far the Lakers are able to go this season. However, young players can be invaluable to a team’s championship aspirations, especially athletic defenders. That only adds to the intrigue surrounding Adou Thiero, who was selected 36th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
In yet another medical update, Los Angeles revealed that the 21-year-old forward has been cleared for contact drills after experiencing swelling in his knee prior to training camp (h/t The Athletic’s Dan Woike). The next step will be getting him playing 5-on-5. With that in mind, the Lakers plan to integrate him into the team’s practice sessions over the next week.
Per the team
LAKERS MEDICAL UPDATE
Lakers forward Adou Thiero has been cleared for live on-court contact work. The next progression in his return-to-play process is participating in 5-on-5 activities. He will be integrated into team practice over the next week, including with… https://t.co/gkqPB6W4aT
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) October 29, 2025
In 2024-25, Thiero averaged 15.1 points 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
