LeBron James to Miss Start of 2025-26 NBA Season with Sciatica
Los Angeles, CA – October 9, 2025 – Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for at least 3-4 weeks due to sciatica, the team announced today. This injury will cause him to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
The issue initially surfaced during the Lakers’ training camp as a glute problem, requiring James to train separately from the team. Further evaluation revealed the condition had developed into sciatica, necessitating a period of rest and rehabilitation. This latest setback comes as James continues his recovery from a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) sustained in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers lost that first-round series 4-1.
James, who will turn 41 in December, has been a cornerstone of the lakers franchise as joining in 2018. His absence at the start of the season presents a significant challenge for the team as they aim to contend in the Western Conference. The Lakers will need to rely on other key players,including Anthony Davis,to carry the load during James’ recovery.
The team has not yet announced a specific return date, but will continue to evaluate James’ progress.Updates will be provided as they become available. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring his recovery, given his age and the importance of his presence to the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
Sources:
* ESPN. “LeBron James to miss start of season with sciatica.” https://www.nba.com/lakers/press-release/injury-update-lebron-james (Accessed October 9, 2025)
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