

Thu Nov 6 1:56pm ET
Field Level Media
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has progressed to contact basketball activity and will be re-evaluated by team physicians in approximately one to two weeks, the team announced Thursday.
James was diagnosed with sciatica on his right side last month. Sciatica is pain in the sciatic nerve that goes down the lower back through the leg.
Despite the absence of James, the Lakers have won five in a row and are off to a 7-2 start to the season.
James, 40, has yet to begin his 23rd NBA season and his eighth with Los Angeles.
The No. 1 scorer in NBA history, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game last season. A 21-time All-Star and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, he finished sixth in the MVP balloting and was named second-team All-NBA.
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker (back) is considered questionable for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Due to a back issue, Alexander-Walker was forced to drop out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he may remain out on Monday night. If he can't return, Keaton Wallace will likely make a second consecutive start. He shot only 5-for-15 from the field against the Lakers, but overall, he did a decent job, amassing 14 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 36 minutes.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (quadriceps) may have to skip a second consecutive game on Monday versus the Los Angeles Clippers, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. Johnson sustained a right quadriceps contusion earlier this week and missed his second game of the season on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers. With Trae Young (knee) on the shelf, Johnson has been the leading man on offense for the Hawks, averaging 20.6 points and 4.9 assists with 8.4 rebounds. Mouhamed Gueye had an impressive outing as a starter on Saturday with 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. He may get another chance to shine on Monday if Johnson remains out.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (rest) will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Porzingis missed Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers for rest purposes. In his most recent outings, Porzingis has shot horribly, but his average numbers remain solid at 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He's Atlanta's third-highest scorer behind Jalen Johnson (quadriceps) and Trae Young (knee). Both players are currently nursing injuries, which could result in a huge offensive role for Porzingis on Monday. Especially with the team's fourth-highest scorer Nickeil Alexander-Walker (back) also iffy for the contest.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will remain sidelined for Monday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks and will miss "the next few games," according to head coach Tyronn Lue. Monday's matchup will mark Leonard's fourth consecutive absence due to a right ankle sprain. According to Lue, medical tests indicate the injury is unlikely to be a long-term problem for the veteran star. Health issues have often kept Leonard back, but he's been highly productive when on the court. This season, Leonard has averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, shooting 50.5 percent from the field. Kris Dunn has made his first three starts of the season during Leonard's absence, but his numbers have been fairly underwhelming.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal (hip) is on the injury report as questionable for Monday's clash against the Atlanta Hawks. The veteran star exited Saturday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to a sore left hip, and the issue could now keep him sidelined for the entire game on Monday. Due to health issues, Beal has made only six appearances with the Clippers, averaging a disappointing 8.2 points in 20.2 minutes. Bogdan Bogdanovic may return to the rotation if Beal can't play on Monday. However, the Serbian sniper has been inconsistent this season, making him a risky fantasy play.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (hamstring) has been listed as out for Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. This was expected after he left early on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Green has reinjured his right hamstring, exiting the lineup after making only two appearances. Earlier this week, when Green made his season debut, Ryan Dunn landed in the second unit, and he could now regain a role among the starters. The 22-year-old sophomore has registered 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in the first unit this season. Green's absence also means that Collin Gillespie will continue to see a healthy amount of playing time in the backcourt.
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) is not on the injury report for Monday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The veteran is managing a right knee injury and has played only once in the past four games. In D.C., Middleton has averaged only 24.4 minutes per game, but he's been productive, notching 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Still, he will be risky fantasy choice on Monday, as Middleton and his crew will go up against a team that's allowing only 109.5 points per 100 possessions, the third-fewest in the league.
Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (calf) has not been cleared to return to action on Monday against the Detroit Pistons. He will sit out a third consecutive game due to a calf contusion. Coulibaly had some productive outings early in the season and is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals for the campaign. Tre Johnson looks set to make his third start in Coulibaly's absence. The rookie has posted 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while starting. However, things could become tough for him on Monday, as Detroit possesses the third-most efficient defense in the Association.
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Scoot Henderson (hamstring) will remain out on Monday against the Orlando Magic. He continues to recover from a left hamstring tear he sustained near the end of September. There was a chance that Henderson could be ready to return to basketball activities in four weeks, but he still must wait for his 2025-26 debut. With Henderson out, the Trail Blazers backcourt has relied on Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday. Following Blake Wesley's (foot) recent exit from the lineup, Sidy Cissoko has also entered the rotation. However, Cissoko has largely been ineffective so far.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Al Horford (foot) will be active against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. The veteran big man has sat out two of the last three games, but he's ready to go to work on Sunday after being initially considered questionable for the matchup. Horford has been part of the second unit with the Warriors, making a limited impact. He's averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 22.0 minutes this season. In his last outing against the Sacramento Kings, Horford finished scorless in 27 minutes on 0-for-7 three-points shooting. Indiana has limited opponents to 32.6 percent shooting from downtown, meaning it won't be easy for Horford to bounce back on Sunday night.
Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (neck) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Monday versus the Los Angeles Lakers. The 26-year-old has recently battled a neck strain and missed his first game of the season on Friday against the Miami Heat. Sexton is poised to have a big role in Monday's contest, as Charlotte won't have LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Brandon Miller (shoulder) in the lineup. Additionally, Miles Bridges (back) is considered questionable for the game. So far this season, Sexton has contributed 16.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, shooting an impressive 51.2 percent from the floor.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (illness) is ready to rejoin the action on Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has removed him from the injury report ahead of the contest. Thompson was unable to play on Saturday against the Washington Wizards due to illness. The 2025-26 campaign has been a frustrating one for Thompson so far, as he's nailed only 26.4 percent of his triples. Due to his poor outside shooting, Thompson has been limited to 7.6 points per game in 20.0 minutes. His struggles may very well continue on Monday night, as the Bucks boast top-10 defensive numbers against three-point shooters.
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) is questionable on the injury report ahead of Monday's clash against the San Antonio Spurs. The versatile Australian sprained his right ankle in Saturday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was able to finish the game, but the injury may now keep Giddey out of Monday's matchup. It's been a very impressive start to the season from Giddey, as he's averaged nearly a triple-double with 21.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. If Giddey is unable to play on Monday, Tre Jones would take on more playmaking responsibilities, while Kevin Huerter and Ayo Dosunmu could see increased playing time in the backcourt.
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (back) has been listed as questionable for Monday's home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bridges has landed on the injury report due to back spasms. Charlotte remains without LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Brandon Miller (shoulder), meaning the team could be missing three major offensive contributors on Monday night. This would give Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton, and Tre Mann greater roles on the attacking end. Rookies Ryan Kalkbrennerand Sion James, who have been starting, may also see more offensive touches.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (toe) isn't on the injury report for Monday's encounter with the Miami Heat. The two-time All-Star only recently made his season debut, and Cleveland rested him on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls during the second leg of a back-to-back. Garland has been rusty in his first couple of outings, shooting only 37 percent from the field. He's averaged 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 27.0 minutes. The Heat have a top-five defense in the league, so Garland may face more difficulties on the court in Monday's game.
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He'll be sidelined for a fourth consecutive game due to an issue with his right ankle. Sion James has been starting during Ball's absence, averaging 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over the past three contests. Meanwhile, Collin Sexton has been given more playmaking duties and even logged his 11th career double-double with 10 points and 12 assists in Tuesday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. On Monday, Sexton may have to return to score-first mode, as Charlotte could also be without Miles Bridges (back), who has been listed as questionable on the injury report.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. The former MVP was initially considered questionable for the game due to illness. Curry will be sidelined for a third consecutive game, boosting the fantasy value of Brandin Podziemski and Will Richard. The latter has done better over the last two games, even dropping 30 points in Wednesday's loss to the Sacramento Kings. Curry's absence also means more offensive touches for Jimmy Butler III and Jonathan Kuminga.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) remains on the injury report with a questionable designation ahead of Monday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Davis is working his way back from a left calf strain and was also questionable for Saturday's contest against the Washington Wizards. Ultimately, Davis was ruled out for the clash, missing a fifth consecutive game. With Dereck Lively II (knee) also battling an injury, the Mavericks frontcourt leaned on Daniel Gafford (ankle), Dwight Powell, and Moussa Cisse on Saturday. The latter two may have to take on even more work on Monday, as Gafford is also considered questionable for the game.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (groin) is considered questionable for Monday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. A right groin strain could keep Reaves sidelined for a fourth consecutive game. Jake LaRavia has been starting during Reaves' absence and will continue to have additional fantasy value if he remains out on Monday. Over the last three games, LaRavia has averaged 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals. On Monday, LaRavia's productivity may even improve, considering the Hornets are ranked 24th in defensive efficiency while playing with the fourth-fastest pace in the league.
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Caris LeVert (knee) will officially be active on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 31-year-old has been upgraded from probable to available on the injury report. Although LeVert is dealing with soreness in his left knee, the issue won't keep him off the court. LeVert has finished back-to-back games with double-digit points, his highest-scoring outings of the campaign. In Friday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, he also showed off some playmaking skills, finishing with four assists. Philadelphia allows the fourth-fewest bench points in the league, which could significantly impact LeVert's performance on Sunday.
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