OKLAHOMA CITY — While the Lakers were preparing for Wednesday’s prime-time matchup against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, one of their star players was back at the organization’s El Segundo training facility progressing with their return-to-play process.

LeBron James practiced with the Lakers’ South Bay G League affiliate on Wednesday as he continues to work his way back from sciatica that has sidelined him to start the season.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said James “got up and down a little bit with warmup transition drills” before progressing to half-court five-on-five, and eventually “12-15 possessions” of contact five-on-five.

“It was also an incredible opportunity for [South Bay coach] Zach [Guthrie] and his staff and all the guys that are with South Bay right now to

See Full Page