A Thursday afternoon injury update informed Los Angeles Lakers fans that [LeBron James has been diagnosed](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-taking-no-chances-lebron-james-before-real-games-begin) with sciatica, and will miss the start of the upcoming season. In total, he figures to miss at least three to four weeks, according to Shams Charania. However, in the grand scheme of things, this could end up producing something positive by way of forcing the Lakers to build synergy without him.
For those who don't know, sciatica is nerve pain stemming from irritation to the sciatic nerve, which is located in the lower back and stretches down the back of the leg. When this condition is present, it can feel like anything from a mild, dull ache all the way up to a sharp or burning pain.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that this isn't the greatest thing for a 40-year old athlete to be dealing with. LeBron's body is already experiencing natural wear and tear at this age, and this will not be an easy condition to get over.
LeBron's absence will force Lakers to grow without him
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What we're probably looking at is a mid-to-late November return for LeBron. He could always surprise us and come back sooner, but this isn't something that can be fixed overnight. Typically, as is the case with other types of nerve irritation, how long the nerve has been compressed is going to play a role in determining recovery time. We know that he had already been dealing with nerve pain that kept him out of LA's preseason games, so it's not like this just cropped up yesterday.
In the meantime, while James is sidelined, there is the potential for upside as it pertains to the rest of this team. With number 23 out, the Lakers will have to [lean further into Luka Doncic](https://lakeshowlife.com/lebron-james-quietly-making-shift-maximize-fit-luka-doncic) as their offensive hub. That means JJ Redick will get the chance to figure out new lineups, configure shot distributions, and help the guys develop chemistry while learning how best to operate alongside Doncic.
As for LeBron, a forced period of rest might end up reducing body inflammation and general wear and tear, and could actually allow him to come back looking sharper. What he should probably try to do is take enough time for his nerve to fully heal, and prioritize his longevity over immediate availability.
In the end, every serious championship contender is going to have to be able to survive without one of its top players for stretches. If the Lakers can find strategies that keep them afloat without James for the next month or so, they'll be better prepared to survive other injuries later.