LeBron James will miss the start of the 2025-26 season after being diagnosed with sciatica on his right side. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Lakers star will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, ruling him out for opening night and likely several games to start the season.
“Lakers star LeBron James is sidelined for at least 3 to 4 weeks due to sciatica on his right side,” wrote Shams. “He is out for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.”
This news comes just days after optimism that James would be ready for the opener against the Golden State Warriors, scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st. James, who is heading into his 23rd season, had already been shut down for preseason in an abundance of caution. Now, at 40 years old, LeBron’s health remains a major concern for the Lakers, who will have to rely on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton to carry the load in his absence.
James has been described as durable throughout his career but the injuries have started to pile up in this final act of his NBA tenure. His latest condition, sciatica, is a nerve-related issue that can cause pain and discomfort down the leg. It has been known to linger, especially in veteran athletes. While the injury isn’t serious, it will require multiple weeks of recovery, meaning that James is set to miss opening night for the first time in his career.
While a concrete timetable has not been provided, the Lakers are expected to be cautious with LeBron’s recovery, prioritizing long-term health over a quick return. What that means is that the Lakers won’t put him out there unless they are sure he’s completely healthy and pain-free. At his age, with his mileage, taking risks can lead to major setbacks and that’s not something the Lakers can afford right now with LeBron James heading into free agency next summer.
It’s obviously a rough development for the Lakers and their title ambitions, but they have more than enough talent to hold it down until LeBron’s debut. In his new and improved form, Luka Doncic alone could carry the Lakers to a respectable position and you can bet they’ll be leaning on him a little extra to start the season. Fortunately, it shouldn’t be long before James is back on the court again and it’ll give the Lakers more than enough time to set the right tone early on.
In a competitive Western Conference, every game matters and if the Lakers want to finish top three in the West, they need to ensure they can win games when No. 23 is out. At the very least, the opening week will give them valuable experience playing without the King, and how they respond will tell us a lot about their current standing in the West.
LeBron’s absence to start the year is a tough blow for the Lakers, but it also creates an early test of their depth and resilience. With Luka Doncic leading the charge, the Lakers have enough star power to stay competitive while their leader recovers. If they can keep things steady and avoid digging a hole in the standings, LeBron’s return could ignite a major run in the West. For now, the goal is clear: get healthy, stay patient, and be ready when the King comes back.
