LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ iconic forward, will miss the start of the 2025-26 season as he continues to recover from a nerve injury. Officially diagnosed with sciatica on his right side, the 40-year-old superstar was ruled out for the season opener and will be re-evaluated near the end of October. According to leading NBA sources, the Lakers and James are approaching his rehab with caution, and most insiders project the earliest possible return would be sometime in mid-November.

This marks a significant milestone in LeBron’s storied 23-year career: for the very first time, he will miss his team’s first game of the season. The Lakers will open against the Golden State Warriors without James, relying on new lineup combinations and chemistry in his absence. The organization announced on October 9 that recovery expectations were three to four weeks, but the Lakers have emphasized a patient, health-first approach for their franchise cornerstone. The club’s medical team is closely monitoring his status, and a possible target for James’ return could be on or after their November 18 home game against Utah, which follows a grueling five-game road stretch.

LeBron’s injury, centered on nerve irritation in the gluteal region, kept him out for all preseason activities. This has forced head coach JJ Redick to make tough decisions about the starting lineup. Gabe Vincent, a sharp-shooting guard who stood out in preseason play, will replace James in the starting five. Vincent’s performance, especially his outside shooting and ability to defend at the point of attack, gave him the edge over other candidates. The plan is for Vincent to join Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton as the Lakers look to stay competitive without their veteran leader.

The loss of LeBron for an extended stretch is notable not just for the team’s on-court strategy, but also for award eligibility. New NBA rules require players to appear in at least 65 games to qualify for end-of-year honors such as MVP or All-NBA. Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game over 70 contests, earning Second-Team All-NBA status at age 39.

In the locker room, teammates like Austin Reaves have emphasized the collective effort needed to replace what LeBron brings—a combination of leadership, playmaking, and scoring. Off the court, the organization and fans alike are counting, not only on a healthy LeBron’s eventual return, but also on young stars and new acquisitions to rise to the occasion in the interim.

If LeBron’s rehab goes as planned, his comeback will likely give the Lakers a major emotional and tactical boost after a demanding opening schedule. All eyes will be on the Lakers over these first 10 to 15 games as the team adapts to adversity with the hope that their legendary star returns at full strength for another playoff push.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI