Lakers’ LeBron James experiencing sciatica, putting opening night in doubt

NBA fans may have to wait a little longer than expected to see LeBron James make his 23rd season debut.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that James has sciatica. The team expects him to miss the next three to four weeks. Lakers head coach JJ Redick added that James is “on his own timeline.”

James missed both preseason games this month with a lower-body injury. Redick was unable to fully participate in training camp practices in late September due to what he described as “some nerve irritation in his hip muscle.”

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Redick added that the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes in minutes “probably (needs) a little bit of a longer rise heading into opening night.”

Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is “pain that originates along the sciatic nerve and radiates to the back of the affected person’s leg,” according to Johns Hopkins.

LEBRON JAMES FILED A LAWSUIT AS A ‘SECOND DECISION’ FROM A FAN WHO PURCHASED TICKETS WHILE WAITING FOR HIS RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

There are 4 games left in the Lakers’ preseason schedule. James’ latest defeat will force him to miss the entire slate for the first time in his NBA career.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James sits on the bench during the first half of the game against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in San Francisco, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Earlier this week, James revealed that his much-derided “second decision” had nothing to do with his basketball future. Instead, a social media presentation helped kick off a launch advertising campaign For a limited-edition Hennessy bottle inspired by James’ signature crowning gesture.

Lebron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers watches the Golden State Warriors during a timeout in the second half of a preseason NBA game at Chase Center on October 5, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Lakers won the games 6-6 without James in the 2024-25 season.

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The Golden State Warriors will visit the Lakers on October 21 to open the regular season for both teams.

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