 
      
      NBA news: New LA Lakers star emerges in the absence of LeBron James and Luka Doncic
The Los Angeles Lakers began the new season without LeBron James and Luka Doncic, leaving many fans worried about how the team would cope without its two biggest stars.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at how another Lakers player has seized the moment to become the unexpected face of the Lakers’ early success.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James’ absence looms large as LA Lakers fall against Golden State Warriors in opener
The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2025/26 season on a disappointing note, falling 119-109 to the Golden State Warriors, reports Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
Missing from the court was LeBron James, who sat out due to a sciatica flare-up. The absence was historic, marking the first time in his 23-year career that he missed a season opener.
Coach JJ Redick admitted that playing without the team’s veteran leader was no easy task. “There were definitely moments where I wished LeBron was out there,” he said after the game.
The Lakers, now under the shared leadership of Redick and Luka Doncic, will have to navigate several weeks without their most experienced player, who is expected to remain sidelined until mid-November.
 
      
      LeBron James injury update: LA Lakers star to miss NBA 2025/26 season start with nerve issue
LeBron James is set to miss the start of the 2025/26 NBA season after sustaining an injury.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at how the Los Angeles Lakers are handling their star’s recovery and what his absence means for the team’s early-season outlook.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James’ ‘Second Decision’ leaves fans divided
Stephen A. Smith did not hold back when reacting to LeBron James’ latest viral moment.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down the reactions to LeBron’s viral Hennessy campaign.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James hints at future uncertainty at LA Lakers media day
LeBron James struck a balance between optimism and ambiguity as he faced the media ahead of his 23rd NBA season.
Here, Sports News Blitz's Noah Ngcobo unpacks the veteran superstar’s comments that left both fans and reporters questioning how much longer he intends to play.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James’ agent sends cryptic message about LA Lakers star’s future
Uncertainty continues to swirl around LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers after his longtime agent, Rich Paul, sent a cryptic message that left fans and analysts guessing.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down what Paul’s words could mean for James, the Lakers, and the final chapter of one of basketball’s greatest careers.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James eyes playing with both sons before retirement
LeBron James has already redefined longevity in the NBA, but his next ambition could make for one of the most remarkable stories in sports history.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at how the LA Lakers star is working towards an unprecedented dream.
 
      
      How Kawhi Leonard’s choice to avoid LeBron James redirected the NBA
Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 free agency decision shocked the NBA and altered the course of league history.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo examines how Leonard’s choice to avoid LeBron James and join the Clippers instead reshaped both franchises and left behind a legacy of what-ifs.
 
      
      LeBron James faces uncertain future as Lakers shift toward Luka Doncic
LeBron James is entering his 23rd NBA season with more questions than answers about his future in Los Angeles.
As the Lakers pivot toward Luka Doncic, the four-time champion faces the unfamiliar prospect of no longer being the franchise’s centrepiece.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo examines the shifting landscape and what it means for LeBron’s next chapter.
 
      
      NBA news: How LeBron James continues to inspire in his 23rd season
Even after 22 seasons at the highest level of basketball, LeBron James remains one of the most admired and respected figures in the NBA.
As he enters his 23rd season, the Los Angeles Lakers star continues to defy the physical and mental limits that typically define the careers of professional athletes.
For younger players like Tyrese Maxey, working out alongside James is more than just training - it is a front-row seat to greatness.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s NBA expert Noah Ngcobo reflects on the impact the basketball veteran has had on the game, and young players like Maxey.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James stays with LA Lakers, but Dallas dream nearly came true
LeBron James has officially opted into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, securing a $52.6 million payday, reports Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
While this decision signals a continued commitment to the franchise he has helped define since 2018, reports suggest that his future was far from certain during the offseason.
 
      
      Why LeBron James’ final chapter looks set to be written in LA
Despite a swirl of rumours this offseason, LeBron James appears set to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers through the 2025/26 NBA season.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo explores the factors behind James’ decision to stay, the long-term outlook in LA, and what it all means for the twilight of his legendary career.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James' future in Los Angeles grows uncertain
Star forward LeBron James reportedly wants out despite opting in, while the LA Lakers are open to trade talks, writes Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo - LA Lakers’ bold vision for the NBA’s most dominant big three
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down how the Lakers are plotting their most audacious move yet - bringing Giannis Antetokounmpo to Los Angeles to join LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
With pressure mounting in L.A., Noah lays out how this potential superteam could redefine the NBA power structure for years to come.
 
      
      NBA Playoffs news: LeBron James faces uncertain future after LA Lakers’ early exit
LeBron James’ 22nd NBA season came to a disappointing close as the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo reflects on a disappointing result for James and the Lakers.
 
      
      NBA news: Luka Doncic and the LA Lakers counterpunch in game two
The Los Angeles Lakers silenced Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two on Tuesday with a 94-85 victory, levelling the series.
With games three and four set to take place in Minnesota, it will be intriguing to witness whether the Wolves can overcome the LA Lakers on home court, after notoriously struggling in the early rounds at home in last year’s playoffs.
Film News Blitz and Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo assesses the talking points from the Lakers win in game two and weighs in on the points of concern the Wolves will need to address in Game Three.
 
      
      NBA news: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Lakers brace for battle in Minnesota
The Los Angeles Lakers may have evened the series against the Timberwolves, but with the battleground now shifting to Minnesota, the stakes - and the noise - are only getting louder.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo explores how LeBron James and Luka Doncic are gearing up to weather the storm and lead their team through one of the toughest tests.
 
      
      NBA news: Physical Timberwolves brush aside star-studded Lakers in Game 1 of play-off series
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a surprising 117-95 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their NBA first-round play-off series.
Sports News Blitz writer Stephen Oladehinde reports on the fallout from Saturday’s clash.
 
      
      NBA news: Can LeBron James’ Lakers go all the way in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off, one of the most intriguing storylines is whether LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have what it takes to make another deep postseason run.
Despite a regular season filled with ups and downs, this team may be peaking at the right time - with a revitalised roster and a healthy King James leading the charge.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo analyses James’ influence in the remainder of the season for the LA Lakers.
 
      
      NBA news: Lakers secure Western Conference third seeding ahead of play-offs
The Los Angeles Lakers secured third seeding in the Western Conference ahead of the NBA play-offs thanks to a dominant performance over second-seeded Houston Rockets on Friday.
Sports News Blitz and Film News Blitz writer Aidan Leo reviews another Doncic masterclass and looks ahead to the post-season.
