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The Lakers’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday didn’t have some of the NBA’s biggest stars on the court. Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James all sat out because of injuries.
Edwards is still recovering from a hamstring strain, Doncic hurt his finger, and LeBron has been dealing with a painful back issue known as sciatica. Thankfully, none of these injuries seems too serious, and all three players are expected to return soon.
Anthony Edwards will be checked again in early November to see how his hamstring is healing. As for Luka Doncic, Lakers coach JJ Redick said he could be back “in the next couple of games.” His finger, which was badly swollen at first, is slowly getting better. Doncic didn’t join the team for their current two-game road trip, which ends this Friday, October 31, against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers will then return home to play the Miami Heat on Sunday, November 2.
LeBron James’ situation is a bit more uncertain. There’s no exact date for his return, but Redick mentioned that mid-November looks like a realistic goal. LeBron, now 40 years old, has been out since late July with a nerve issue in his back that causes pain down the leg, the same condition that’s kept him from playing since preseason.
His long absence has led to questions about his future with the Lakers, especially since talks about a contract extension have been paused. Some fans are starting to wonder if this might be his last season wearing purple and gold.
The Lakers are dealing with quite a few injuries right now, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber, and Gabe Vincent are also out. That means coach Redick has to rely heavily on Austin Reaves and the rest of the team to keep things going strong until the stars are healthy again.