How long is LeBron James out? Sciatica injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Lakers star originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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LeBron James will miss the start of the 2025-2026 NBA regular season, per Shams Charania.The Lakers star was already ruled out for the preseason due to an injury and the franchise’s desire to give him as much rest as possible, but that rest may not be sufficient.

James is dealing with sciatica on his right side. Sciatica is a condition that causes pain and weakness in the lower back and leg. It is a common injury, especially in sports that often compress the sciatic nerve, such as basketball. James is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, which will run into the start of the regular season. The hope is that James will be able to return in early to mid-November.

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Here is more on how long James will be out due to his sciatica injury.

LeBron James injury update

James was ruled out for the preseason as the Lakers started their preseason schedule. While James would likely want some reps, it isn’t uncommon for him to rest throughout the preseason. At the time, there wasn’t much cause for concern, even though reports said he was dealing with a minor injury.

James has been diagnosed with sciatica and is now expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. This return timeline means the injury will linger into the regular season. Los Angeles will want to give him extra time to recover so he can minimize the risk of sciatica returning.

Charania reported that James first felt the nerve injury during an on-court workout in late-July or early-August. Per Charania, the 40-year old hadn’t played much basketball in the month before the start of Los Angeles’ training camp in late September.

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What is sciatica? 

“Sciatica happens when irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression affects one or more nerves that run down your lower back and into your legs,” per the Cleveland Clinic. It is nerve pain from an injury to the sciatic nerve, which usually causes the nerve to become compressed. The result is tingling, numbness or pain in your lower back and leg. You have a sciatic nerve on either side of your body, and James’ injury is to his right side. 

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How long will LeBron James be out?

James is targeting a mid-November return, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who added that the Lakers are taking a “patient” approach with his recovery.

James was initially expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, but that timeline was provided 12 days before the start of the season and could have allowed James to miss as few as four or five games to start the year. If his recovery stretches into mid-November, he could be out for as many as 10 games.

This season will be James’ 23rd of his career. Until now, James has played in every single Opening Night game in his career. 

Quite a stat from my pals at @hoopshype … who note that LeBron James was 22-for-22 in playing on Opening Night until this season. https://t.co/p4QzKiF0jy

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 9, 2025

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