US EditionLeBron James will miss opening night of his record 23rd NBA season due to sciatica
LeBron James will miss at least the first five games due to right-side sciatica and be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, marking his first season opener absence in 23 years.
- Published Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, LeBron James will miss Opening Night at Crypto.com Arena of his record 23rd NBA season, starting the year sidelined for the first time.
- Team doctors diagnosed sciatica and glute nerve irritation on LeBron James’s right side, and the Lakers said he will be reevaluated in about three to four weeks after missing preseason games.
- As context, LeBron James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 42,184 points, has opted into a $52.6 million player option, and holds records for 1,854 combined games and 71,103 minutes.
- Short term, the Lakers will rely on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura to carry the offense while Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart face added pressure during James's absence for five to six games.
- Looking ahead, durability questions center on LeBron James at age 40 entering his 23rd season, with a multi-week absence threatening the 65-game All-NBA eligibility and fueling retirement speculation following his 'Second Decision' post.
131 Articles
131 Articles
The Los Angeles Lakers will likely be without LeBron James at the start of the new NBA season in late October. The 40-year-old superstar will miss the start of his 23rd NBA season due to sciatica, a nerve pain in the lower back.
So far, LeBron James has not been able to complete a training session with his teammates of the LA Lakers, and it will stay that way at first. Because the four-time NBA champion fails at the start of the season with back problems.
LeBron James will be on leave for three to four weeks because of a painful sciatica
Why LeBron James Is Missing the Start of the NBA Season
James will be sidelined for at least three to four more weeks due to sciatica on his right side, the Lakers saidMatt Winkelmeyer/Getty Lebron JamesNEED TO KNOW LeBron James, 40, will be sidelined for at least three to four more weeks due to sciatica on his right side, the Los Angeles Lakers announcedHe is at risk of missing the team's season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 21James has been sidelined since the start of t…
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