LeBron James’ beard carries more gray now, a quiet reminder of just how long he’s been doing this. When the Los Angeles Lakers star steps back on the floor for the 2025-26 season, he’ll become the first player in NBA history to reach 23 seasons with the same franchise.
That body, built for endurance across two decades, is finally showing signs of wear.
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The Lakers announced LeBron will miss the start of the season due to sciatica on his right side.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania on NBA Today, the team is targeting mid-November for his return.
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“I’m told that the Lakers and LeBron are looking at around mid November as a realistic debut for him, and so October 30th would be the earliest that the Lakers would be officially reevaluating LeBron James, but it is expected. He will need, at least a few weeks after that point, a source told me tonight that LeBron will be taking a patient approach with this rehab from nerve injury,” Charania reported.
The sciatica issue first surfaced during an on-court workout in late July or early August, disrupting LeBron’s usual offseason preparation. Now, entering his 23rd NBA season and nearing 41 years old, he’s prioritizing recovery over rushing back to action.
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Missing Opening Night marks a career first for the 21-time All-Star. Fans have voiced concerns across social media about the severity of the condition and what it means for his availability moving forward.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) on the floor after an apparent injury during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The nerve injury, typically associated with older athletes, has sparked debate among supporters about whether this signals the beginning of the end for LeBron’s legendary run.
But the Lakers and LeBron aren’t panicking. Reports suggest he’s taking a measured approach to rehabilitation, with realistic expectations about his timeline.
All signs point toward a careful return around mid-November rather than a rushed comeback that could complicate matters further.
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