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

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

James had already missed both of this month’s preseason games with a lower-body injury. He has not fully participated in training camp practices due to what Redick described in late September as “a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.”

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the first half against the Utah Jazz Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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

According to Johns Hopkins, sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, “is a pain that originates along (the) sciatic nerve” and radiates down the back of an affected person’s leg.

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The Lakers have four games remaining on their preseason schedule. James’ latest setback will force him to miss the entire exhibition slate for the first time in his NBA career.

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

Earlier this week, James revealed that his much-teased “second decision” had nothing to do with his basketball future. Instead, a social media rollout helped launch an ad campaign for a limited-edition Hennessy bottle inspired by James’ signature crowning gesture.

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

The Lakers went 6-6 in contests without James during the 2024-25 season.

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The Golden State Warriors will visit the Lakers Oct. 21 to open both teams’ regular season. 

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