Despite seeing all three of their top players deal with various injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers are off to an 8-3 start that has them fourth in the Western Conference and looking like a legitimate title contender . The most notable of those absences has been LeBron James not playing yet due to a sciatica issue.

James was cleared for basketball activities last week and on Wednesday was assigned to the franchise's NBA G League affiliate, South Bay, where he will participate in his first full practice of the season, including 5-on-5 play, as he works toward his return to the floor.

On top of James sitting out all 11 games, Luka Dončić has missed four games with a lower leg injury and Austin Reaves sat out three games last week with groin soreness. However, when those two hav

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