NEW YORK — LeBron James is heading for the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, later this week as he ramps up for his long-awaited return from a right-side sciatica injury, according to ESPN.

The 40-year-old superstar will practice with South Bay while the Lakers continue their five-game road trip. The team won’t return to Los Angeles until Wednesday (Manila time), when it hosts the Utah Jazz — a matchup widely expected to mark James’ season debut, and the start of his 23rd NBA campaign.

Last week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that James had been cleared for contact basketball activities and would be re-evaluated within one to two weeks as he moved toward full recovery.

“LeBron James has been working out individually,” Charania said on NBA Countdown. 

“I’m told that the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play.”

That next step will now come with the South Bay Lakers, who serve as the organization’s development team. The G League assignment will allow James to scrimmage and rebuild conditioning in a lower-stakes environment before receiving medical clearance to rejoin the Lakers’ active roster.

His stint with South Bay is expected to be short but crucial — likely his final hurdle before returning to NBA action.

Entering Tuesday’s road game in Charlotte, the Lakers boast a 7-3 record, having weathered James’ absence with impressive depth and balance.

Led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the team has managed to stay competitive, maintaining rhythm on both ends of the court while awaiting their leader’s return.

James’ comeback is viewed as a major boost for Los Angeles’ championship aspirations, with his experience and playmaking expected to steady the team heading into the heart of the season.

Interestingly, the league itself has remained strong even without its biggest star on the floor.

The NBA announced last Friday that viewership for the 2025–26 season is up 92 percent year-over-year for nationally televised games — the highest increase since the 2011–12 season.

Despite the surge in ratings, the return of one of basketball’s most recognizable figures is expected to further drive fan engagement worldwide.

According to online sportsbook, BetUS, the Lakers are tied with the Houston Rockets for the sixth-best odds (+1400) to win the NBA championship this season.

The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder remain the favorites (+220), followed by Denver (+550), Cleveland (+750), Golden State (+1200), and New York (+1300).

Even at 40 — turning 41 in December — James continues to shape the league’s balance of power.

Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, earning All-NBA Second Team honors and leading the Lakers to 50 wins and a third-place finish in the Western Conference.

He also ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s preseason Top 100 Players list, underscoring his enduring dominance even as the league’s oldest active player.

Now entering his 23rd season, James’ return could once again alter the Western Conference hierarchy — and give Los Angeles a renewed shot at another deep playoff run.