The Los Angeles Lakers are flying to start the 2025-26 NBA season. After an opening night loss, the team has a 6-2 record. Luka Doncic is going off, Austin Reaves looks like an All-Star, and the new acquisitions are fitting in seamlessly.

The Lakers issued a positive update Thursday on James' status, noting he is cleared for basketball activities and will begin ramping up to 5-on-5 work. The Lakers will re-evaluate James in 1-2 weeks to see how his body is responding to getting back on the court.

This start has led Jeff Teague to believe that these two young guards are the combo that will lead the team to success in the present and the future. More controversially, Teague also believes that the return of LeBron James will only spoil the team camaraderie, which, at the moment, looks destined to settle for nothing less than a championship.

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season. The Lakers were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The league's all-time leading scorer earned All-NBA Second Team honors for the 2024-25 season.

Lakers 6-foot-7 wing thriving next to Dončić in absence of LeBron James originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Although the Los Angeles Lakers have been without Luka Dončić for a few games and LeBron James for the whole beginning of the season, they are still 5-2.

Former NBA player Damon Jones was arrested in connection to an alleged gambling ring. In addition to Jones, Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey

According to ESPN Insights, Mitchell actually accomplished some history on Wednesday, becoming the second player in Cavaliers history with 20 40-point games. LeBron James, arguably the greatest player of all time, and now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, achieved this outstanding feat 51 times.