LeBron James takes key step toward returning to Lakers

OKLAHOMA CITY – LeBron James took a key step toward his return to the Los Angeles Lakers when he practiced with the team’s G League affiliate in El Segundo, Calif., on Wednesday.

James has not played this season because of sciatica, a nerve problem in his right lower body.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said James practiced with the South Bay Lakers, his first practice action of the season. Redick spoke to reporters about practice before the Lakers played at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. He said the reports he received indicated that James looked fine.

“He was able to participate in practice,” Redick said. “I went up and down a little bit with just some warm-up transition drills and progressed to 5-on-5 in the half-court, and got, I think, about 12 to 15 possessions of live contact at 5-on-5.”

James, entering his 23rd NBA season, is the league’s all-time leading scorer. The Lakers won eight of their first 11 games without him.