LeBron James’ recovery from his latest injury is taking longer than expected. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed new details about the Lakers star’s ongoing battle with sciatica, explaining that the issue first appeared during offseason workouts and continues to linger without a clear timeline for return.
“This sciatica that we talked about, on his right side, first occurred in late July, early August,” Charania said. “He was working out with Tyrese Maxey and Zach LaVine when he felt something in his back. Then he ends up getting tests. This is an injury described to me as one that comes and goes. You don’t really have a set timeline and it’s not like there’s a treatment you can do and it heals. There was a notion that he’d feel better by now, but he needs time.”
Charania’s update sheds light on just how unpredictable LeBron’s condition really is. Unlike a typical muscle strain or back injury, sciatica can flare up suddenly and cause shooting pain or numbness down the leg, making it difficult for players to move freely or maintain explosiveness. For someone like LeBron, who relies heavily on core stability and lower-body strength, even a minor setback can throw off his rhythm and conditioning, which explains why both he and the Lakers are approaching this with extreme caution.
“Sources tell me he’s going to be very, very patient with this injury,” Charania added. “I’m told the Lakers and LeBron are looking at mid-Novemberish for him to make his debut.”
At 40 years old, LeBron James was already practicing caution with his workload. Coming into this season, he had plans to limit his minutes and adjust his playstyle to preserve energy and durability.
Of course, that was before his latest setback. Now, with LeBron set to miss the next three to four weeks, the Lakers will have to play on without him as his body catches up.
If Tuesday’s season opener was any indication, it’s going to be a tough stretch without James, and it will serve as the Lakers’ first major test. If Luka Doncic can’t keep them afloat in his absence, the team will fall behind early, and it could jeopardize the entire season.
Hopefully, between Luka and Austin Reaves, the Purple and Gold will have enough to stay competitive. Even if they don’t, LeBron James isn’t going to risk his health to rush back into action. If the Lakers want him at his best, a slow and cautious return is the way to go, even if it means sacrificing some wins early on.
At his age, with this type of nagging injury, the risk is too great. In many ways, patience is key for the Lakers and it could mean the difference between success and failure this season.
LeBron James has defied time for over two decades, but every player eventually faces the limits of endurance. The Lakers’ championship hopes depend on his health more than ever, and how they navigate the weeks ahead could define not just their season, but the twilight of LeBron’s historic career.
