On the heels of shutting down retirement rumors with his “Second Decision” business announcement, Lakers superstar LeBron James is back in the headlines — this time for all the wrong reasons. According to Legion Hoops, the Lakers superstar is expected to miss 3–4 weeks due to sciatic nerve damage, a more serious development of the glute irritation that has kept him sidelined since the start of the preseason.
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From Precaution to Prolonged Absence
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Initial reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania suggested James would “likely” miss the entirety of the preseason as a precautionary measure, with hopes of returning for the regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21. But the latest update from Legion Hoops casts doubt on that timeline, meaning the Lakers could open the year without their 40-year-old cornerstone.
Head coach JJ Redick has maintained that the organization would prioritize LeBron’s health over early-camp chemistry. “We’re going to be smart about it,” Redick said last week. “We want him at his best when the games matter.”
The Cost of Caution
Even with Luka Dončić leading the charge, LeBron’s absence is felt both on and off the floor. His leadership, tempo control, and ability to stabilize the offense remain irreplaceable. While missing preseason games may not faze a 21-time All-Star, a multi-week injury at age 40 raises fair concerns about durability and recovery speed heading into his 23rd NBA season.
James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last year — proof that he remains elite when healthy. But for the Lakers, the immediate focus shifts to getting their franchise icon back to full strength before this setback turns into something more significant.