For the first time in his legendary 23-year career, the NBA season will begin without its King on the court. LeBron James, an icon of impossible durability, has been shockingly sidelined by a debilitating nerve injury called sciatica, ending his historic streak of playing in every season opener. The Los Angeles Lakers are now in full crisis mode, forced to hand the keys to new superstar Luka Dončić as championship plans are thrown into chaos. How severe is this injury for a 40-year-old legend, and could this signal an end no one saw coming? Click the link to see the details. bb
LEBRON James is set to miss the start of the NBA season after suffering an injury.
Lakers veteran small forward James, 40, is preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA.
LeBron James will miss the Los Angeles Lakers’ first game of the seasonCredit: Getty
James has suffered a sciatica on his right sideCredit: Getty
He will now miss the opening games of the 2025-26 campaign with a painful injury.
James has suffered a sciatica on his right side during the Lakers’ preseason.
A sciatica is pain that runs from the lower back to the leg.
It is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or its roots.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, 41, has described the injury as concentrated in James’ glute.
James is yet to participate in the team’s training camp as they prepare for the upcoming season.
He will be unavailable for selection for an additional three to four weeks.
This means that James will be missing from the Lakers’ remaining preseason games.
James will also be missing from their NBA season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, October 21.
The veteran has faced criticism over the past week after his brand deal with Hennessy.
His so-called “Second Decision” had led fans to think that James would be announcing his retirement from professional basketball.
This name was in reference to “The Decision”, which saw the small forward leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010.
A fan has sued James for this as many believe that his alcohol sponsorship was deliberately misleading.
James is entering his second season of playing alongside his son, Bronny.
The 21-year-old has come under fire after lacklustre preseason performances.
They became the first-ever father-son duo to play in the NBA last season.
However, James Sr. will not wait for his second son Bryant, 18, to turn professional.
James is regarded as one of the NBA’s greatest-ever players with four champions’ rings.
He featured prominently for the Lakers last season with 70 starts for the side.
His last appearance came in May during the Lakers’ conference quarter-finals defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
