LeBron James Out for Season Opener Due to Sciatica

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James will miss the opening night of his record 23rd NBA season due to sciatica on his right side, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Thursday.

The 40-year-old superstar has yet to practice fully since the team opened training camp last week. Coach JJ Redick confirmed that James is dealing with nerve irritation in his glute, which is related to his sciatica condition.

Sciatica refers to pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine through the buttocks and legs. According to injury analyst Stephania Bell, symptoms can include sharp pain, numbness, or tingling.

The Lakers have diagnosed James’s injury and anticipate he will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. If the timeline holds, he could miss multiple games, including the Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.

James missed both of the Lakers’ first two preseason games while recovering, and Redick commented, “He’s on his own timeline,” when asked about James’s progress.

The Lakers will start their season with eight games in just 13 days, and the absence of James, who has been a key player since joining the team in 2018, could be a significant hurdle.

Despite his injury, James aims to set records this season. He is currently recognized as the top scorer in NBA history and has consistently maintained a dominant performance throughout his career.

While James has not been on the court with the team during this critical training period, the Lakers are looking to continue building their offensive chemistry with new players like Luka Doncic.

JJ Redick expressed a sense of urgency, stating, “No one has got any time with LeBron,” emphasizing the importance of getting all players on the court together.

With James’s return uncertain, Lakers fans await updates on his recovery as the team prepares for its regular-season games.