Lakers Superstar LeBron James Sidelined by Sciatica Injury, Doncic Steps Up

On October 22, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers will open their 2025-26 NBA season without their iconic leader, LeBron James. The 40-year-old superstar remains sidelined as he recovers from a sciatica injury that has plagued him since training camp.

James, entering his remarkable 23rd NBA season, continues to battle the nerve-related condition that causes pain, burning, and numbness radiating from his lower back down through his leg. The Lakers initially announced on October 9, 2025, that James would miss the start of the season due to the issue, which was initially identified as mild nerve irritation during preseason activities. However, the condition later progressed into a full-blown case of sciatica, forcing the team to rule him out of action for several weeks.

While the medical staff remains hopeful that a combination of rest and targeted rehabilitation will help James recover, his return timeline is still uncertain. Current projections suggest the veteran forward could rejoin the lineup around mid-November, provided his rehab continues to show positive results.

In James' absence, the Lakers will rely heavily on Luka Doncic to spearhead the offense against a determined Warriors team led by Stephen Curry. Doncic, entering his first full season with the Lakers following his trade from Dallas, proved last year that he could shoulder the offensive load during LeBron's absences.