For the first time in his 23-year NBA career, LeBron James will miss an opening night game, after it was confirmed that he is suffering from right-side sciatica. Reports indicate the Los Angeles Lakers star will be sidelined for at least three to four weeks. His fans will have to wait to see him face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, October 21.
The news left Lakers Nation disappointed, as they were eager to see their superstar take the floor for the season’s first game. Moreover, this marks the first time in LeBron’s entire professional career that he will not participate in an NBA opener, a streak that had lasted since his debut in 2003.
NBA reporter Matt Barrie mocks LeBron James
After the announcement that James would miss almost a month due to the injury, ESPN reporter Matt Barrie didn’t offer a message of support or additional insight into the four-time MVP’s health. Instead, he opted for a sarcastic and humorous tone.
I have an idea… Maybe he can rub some Hennessy on it and everything will be fine.
Barrie’s comment referenced the liquor brand Hennessy, which James recently endorsed. During the brand’s major ad campaign, the Lakers’ superstar was the central figure in a commercial titled “Second Decision.”
The ad’s title immediately sparked a wave of speculation among fans. Many believed it was a hint that LeBron was preparing to announce his retirement before the start of the 2025-26 season. Playing off that confusion, Barrie delivered his tongue-in-cheek remark linking the product and the player’s situation.
The speculation grew so intense that ticket prices for what many assumed could be LeBron’s final regular-season game, scheduled for April 12, 2026, skyrocketed. Seats that had been selling for around $82 jumped to as high as $580.
The height of absurdity: a fan sues LeBron over the Hennessy ad
Without a doubt, the marketing campaign proved to be a massive success for Hennessy. The brand masterfully leveraged both the moment and one of the most recognizable athletes in the world to generate widespread buzz and conversation about the product.
However, not everyone appreciated the clever publicity stunt. A fan named Andrew Garcia filed a lawsuit against James, claiming that he had been deceived, along with thousands of others, into believing that the commercial hinted at the player’s impending retirement. Garcia told TMZ Sports that he spent $432.83 on two tickets to the March 31 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers under the impression that it might be his last chance to watch LeBron in action.
The lawsuit, according to Garcia, accuses the Lakers star of “fraud, deception, misrepresentation, and any or all basis of legal recovery.” He added that he never would have made the purchase if he hadn’t been misled into thinking the ad campaign was signaling LeBron’s final NBA season.
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