Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is in the middle of doing the impossible and defeating Father Time, leading the Lakers to a first-round series victory over the Houston Rockets in his age-41 season.
“I’m kicking [Father Time’s] ass. He can go to somebody else at this point. He already lost to me. It’s over with,” James said bluntly after proving he can still shine as the primary option following injuries to Lakers stars Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Reaves returned late in the series against the Rockets, but there has been speculation that Doncic is a ways away from returning to action. Unfortunately for James and the Lakers, that has been confirmed ahead of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that Doncic has not yet begun a contact ramp-up and isn’t particularly close to making his return.
Luka Doncic has NOT yet started a contact ramp up and is not close to returning for the Lakers, per @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/EtcqvxMIQq
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 4, 2026
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“They losing to the thunder anyways in some way shape or form so it really doesn’t matter lmao,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
I think I know what the lakers are doing. Luka just gona run out the tunnel in game 5 or something,” someone else added.
“Yeah. It’s a hamstring. He has at least another two weeks before he can see an NBA court. The Lakers just won’t play that long,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if James can keep the Lakers afloat long enough for Doncic to make his return.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.