Positive news from the Los Angeles Lakers. Team star LeBron James has been cleared to begin contact training and is expected to undergo a follow-up evaluation by the team doctor in the next one to two weeks.

The 40-year-old veteran missed training camp and all activities at the start of the new season due to sciatica. The Lakers revealed that his next recovery plan is to participate in five-on-five full-court practices, but there is no definite timetable yet. The team will begin a five-game road trip this weekend, and James is expected to stay in Los Angeles to continue focusing on his rehabilitation.

Since the team announced four weeks ago that LeBron James had entered an evaluation period, he has been working on individual training. The Lakers confirmed on Thursday that his recovery has entered a new phase, showing that his overall condition is stable and improving.

In an interview last week, head coach JJ Redick said that the team has not yet set a specific date for James' return: "We don't have a specific time yet, it will be around mid-November, and hopefully he will have completed all the recovery steps by then."

If James needs to practice during the team's absence, he may remain at the El Segundo training facility to practice with the Lakers' G League affiliate. The Lakers' next home game is scheduled for November 18th.

Despite missing LeBron James, the Lakers remain in excellent form, sitting atop the standings with a 7-2 record. In Wednesday night's game, Luka Doncic scored 35 points, helping the Lakers narrowly defeat San Antonio 118-116, extending their winning streak to five games and showcasing their resilient team performance.