Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest updates on Lakers star's status vs. Jazz

The Lakers have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025-26 season, winning 10 of their first 14 games to establish themselves as one of the Western Conference’s top teams.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been sensational, averaging 34.4 and 28.3 points, respectively. The duo has stepped up in LeBron James’ absence; the veteran has yet to play this season after being diagnosed with sciatica ahead of training camp.

James is expected to add another dimension to J.J. Redick’s offense when he returns. Despite his age, he remains one of the league’s most effective players. Last year, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 starts.

He is something of an ageless wonder and is expected to contribute immediately upon his return. The question is: when will that be? Here’s the latest on James’ status ahead of the Lakers’ matchup with Utah on Tuesday night.

MORE: What is sciatica and how long does it take to clear up?

Is LeBron James playing tonight?

James was listed as questionable ahead of the Lakers’ matchup with Utah, the latest in a string of promising updates on the star’s health.

The 40-year-old returned to practice Monday, his first time on the court since developing sciatica before training camp in September.

James was held out of the season opener for the first time in his career due to the injury. He told reporters he is still feeling the effects, which involve pain in the nerves radiating around the buttocks and down the back of the legs.

“If you’ve ever had [sciatica], you wake up one day and you hope that when you step down out of the bed, you don’t feel it,” James said. “You go to bed at night, you hope when you get in the bed, you don’t feel it. I’ve been doing pretty good with it as of late. There’s a lot of exercise and a lot of mobility things that you can do to help it, so I’m just keeping a positive mindset.”

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James acknowledged that it will take him to get up to speed with the rigors of the sport upon his return.

“My lungs feel like a newborn baby,” James said. “That’s the most important thing: I’ve got to get my lungs back up to a grown man. My voice is already gone (from) one day back barking out calls and assignments and stuff. Got to get my voice working again. Be a lot of tea and rest tonight. Feels good to be out here with the guys. Missed them.”

Nevertheless, all signs are pointing towards James wanting  to play tonight. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that James will go through his normal pregame routine before Tuesday's game — including his on-court workout and pregame nap — before deciding whether he's healthy enough to take the floor.

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Lakers schedule 2025-26

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