The Lakers announced Wednesday that LeBron James will miss the start of the season with sciatica on his right side, sidelining him for three to four weeks.
James, 40, had been dealing with back tightness during camp before additional tests confirmed the issue. He’ll undergo treatment and rest, with no official timetable beyond the three-to-four-week window.
It’s an early gut punch for a team built around Luka Doncic, who now becomes the unquestioned focal point to start the year. Expect the Lakers to lean heavily on Doncic to set the tone offensively, with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura shouldering more of the load until James returns.
The hope is that James, entering his 23rd NBA season, will be back before the end of November. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists last season while shooting 52 percent from the floor — proof he’s still capable of elite play when healthy.
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