Copyright Newsweek
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to handle business without LeBron James in their lineup. Tuesday night, the team traveled to Charlotte and defeated the pesky Hornets, 121-111, with Luka Doncic leading the way again. The multi-time NBA All-Star recorded 38 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in the win, showing that he's clearly the inheritor of the Lakers' superstar duties once LeBron officially hangs it up. However, that hasn't happened yet, and LeBron is nearing his return to a Lakers team that seems to be operating pretty well without him. The 40-year-old all-time great has been out since the start of the season due to a sciatica injury. However, optimism about his imminent return to the court continues to grow. Before the Hornets game, Lakers coach JJ Redick let everyone know that LeBron was practicing with the Lakers' G League team as he moves toward a return for his actual team. Read more: Lakers’ Bronny James Addresses Finding His Role With the Team Following the Lakers' win over Charlotte on Tuesday, Luka spoke about his team's "next man up mentality" amid injuries, including LeBron. That brought a question for Luka about LeBron's return to the court, and it appears he's ready to have him back. "Yeah, we can't wait. All of us can't wait. It's Bron, so it's always good to have him back. So hopefully soon," Luka told reporters at the postgame press conference. Last Thursday, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania indicated LeBron was cleared for contact basketball activities. The Lakers superstar didn’t travel with the team for their five-game road trip, but Charania indicated the belief was that LeBron would be back by "mid-November." With his superstar teammate on the sidelines, Luka currently leads the Lakers with mind-blowing averages of 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. It continues to raise the question of whether LeBron's return will help or hinder the current team, which seems to be playing well in most games. In addition to James' injury, the team is wirthout guard Gabe Vincent due to an ankle injury. However, Rotowire reported (via The Athletic’s Law Murray) that although Vincent isn't cleared for one-on-one activities yet, he's ramping up his on-court work. Read More: LeBron James Gets Major Warning About Lakers Return From Popular Analyst
