Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who will miss the beginning of the season with sciatica on his right side, is targeting a mid-November return, per ESPN’s Shams Charania on NBA Today.

Charania also said that James and the Lakers will be “taking a patient approach with this rehab.”

The Lakers previously announced on Oct. 9 that James would be re-evaluated after three-to-four weeks due to the ailment.

Losing James for any amount of time is a big loss for the Lakers, a 50-win team looking to take the next step with five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic now running the point for a full season after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks last February.

James, a 21-time All-NBA player and four-time NBA MVP, just made All-NBA Second Team after posting 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds.

Thankfully, it doesn’t appear as if James will be out for too many games. The Lakers open the season on Oct. 21. L.A. has 15 games between Oct. 21 and Nov. 18 before going on a four-day break and then visiting the Utah Jazz on Nov. 23.

Ultimately, the Lakers are reportedly taking a cautious approach, which makes sense as the 40-year-old James enters his 23rd season. For now, L.A. will enter the 2025-26 season without him next Tuesday when they host the Golden State Warriors.