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LeBron James to Miss Start of 2025-26 NBA Season Due to Sciatica
LeBron James to Miss Start of 2025-26 NBA Season Due to Sciatica: What This Means for the Lakers and the Legend’s Legacy
At 40 years old, King James is still making headlines, not just for his unmatched longevity or record-breaking stats, but now, unfortunately, for a health setback that will see him miss the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season. According to multiple reports, LeBron James is expected to sit out opening night due to sciatica, a painful nerve condition that has kept him from full participation in Lakers training camp and preseason games.
This marks a less-than-ideal beginning for LeBron’s record 23rd season, an NBA milestone no other player has ever reached. ESPN’s Shams Charania first broke the news, and while the Lakers have remained tight-lipped, head coach JJ Redick confirmed that LeBron is “on his own timeline” ahead of the Lakers’ opening clash against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on October 21 at the Crypto.com Arena.
Sciatica, for those unfamiliar, is no minor issue. It’s a nerve irritation that begins in the spine and radiates down the back of the leg, often causing significant pain or numbness. For an athlete like LeBron, whose game thrives on explosive movement, agility, and power, such an injury demands caution. LeBron hasn’t been a full participant in team practices since training camp opened earlier this month. The Lakers’ medical staff will re-evaluate him in three to four weeks, but for now, his condition raises both concern and curiosity, is Father Time finally catching up to the King?
The Stats Still Speak Volumes
Let’s not forget, this is LeBron James we’re talking about. Last season, at age 39, he still managed to average 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists across 70 games. That’s MVP-level performance for most players, but just another day for LeBron.
He remains the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, with 42,184 regular-season points, and a combined 50,473 when including playoff appearances. His résumé is beyond comparison:
- 4× NBA Champion
- 4× NBA MVP
- 21× All-Star
- 2× Olympic Gold Medalist
For context, the year LeBron entered the NBA, 2003, some of today’s rookies weren’t even born yet. Two decades later, he’s still redefining what longevity looks like in sports.
After the Lakers’ disappointing first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this year, LeBron fueled speculation about retirement. “I don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that,” he told reporters at the time. It was a moment of vulnerability from a player who has spent much of his career defying human limits. But in June, James put those rumors on pause by exercising his $52.6 million player option to return for an eighth season with the Lakers. Whether this decision was driven by unfinished business, his desire to one day share the court with his sons, or simply his love for the game, one thing is certain, LeBron’s passion for basketball remains alive.
The Lakers Without LeBron
For head coach JJ Redick, in his first season at the helm, this early challenge will test his leadership and the Lakers’ depth. Can Anthony Davis shoulder the offensive and defensive load? Will the young core, including Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, rise to the occasion?
Opening night against the Golden State Warriors, led by long-time rival Stephen Curry, will now take on a different tone. Fans may miss the iconic LeBron vs. Curry face-off, but it also opens a window for the Lakers to showcase their adaptability, something that’s been questioned in recent years. If anything, LeBron’s absence early in the season could give the Lakers a chance to fine-tune their chemistry and allow Redick to experiment with rotations before the King’s return.
LeBron James turns 41 in December, an age that most NBA players never reach on an active roster, let alone as starters or franchise cornerstones. His continued dominance is a testament not just to genetics, but to discipline, mental fortitude, and a relentless drive to compete.
Sure, injuries are part of the aging process. But if LeBron’s career has taught us anything, it’s that you should never count him out. Whether it was returning from injuries, defying playoff odds, or rewriting record books, he’s always found a way to silence doubt. As the Lakers prepare for the 2025-26 season without their leader for the opening stretch, fans can only hope this setback is temporary. After all, this isn’t the first time the King has faced adversity, and it probably won’t be the last.
LeBron’s story has long transcended basketball. He’s not just chasing championships; he’s chasing immortality, the kind that cements a name in history beyond trophies and stats. With his son Bronny now stepping into the NBA spotlight, there’s a poetic symmetry unfolding, the possibility of a father-son duo on the court, something fans have dreamt about for years. Even as LeBron navigates recovery, the conversation isn’t about his decline, it’s about how much longer he can continue to elevate the game. And that’s a narrative no injury can stop.
LeBron James missing the start of the season is a blow to the Lakers and basketball fans worldwide, but it’s far from the end of the story. If history is any indicator, the King will return, stronger, smarter, and ready to remind everyone why he’s still the gold standard of the NBA. So, while sciatica might sideline him temporarily, expect the comeback to be nothing short of royal.
