LeBron James will be handled with extreme care for now as he recovers from a sciatic nerve injury that has kept him sidelined. Because of this, the Los Angeles Lakers star will miss the team’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors next Tuesday, October 21.
Still, amid what looks like a gloomy start for the franchise and its thousands of fans ahead of the 2025 tip-off, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel regarding the King’s anticipated return to NBA action.
The possible date for LeBron James’ return
According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, James is expected to make his comeback around the middle of November. This timeline suggests that the 40-year-old forward is taking things slowly, avoiding the temptation to rush back and risk aggravating the injury. Instead, LeBron prefers a measured recovery process to ensure the issue heals completely before stepping onto the court again.
For now, the treatments he’s receiving to address the nerve problem appear to be working effectively. Although there have been no official medical updates on his progress, it is reasonable to expect that modern therapeutic methods and specialized care are contributing to steady improvement.
Last season, LeBron was remarkably durable for his age, suiting up in 70 games while averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds, with an impressive 51.3% shooting from the field. These numbers reaffirmed his ability to perform at an elite level even in his third decade as a professional athlete. Missing the start of the 2025-26 season may allow him to set a reasonable goal for maintaining his effectiveness throughout the long campaign ahead.
The Lakers’ staff and medical team are being especially cautious this time, aware that LeBron’s leadership and presence will be essential in the later stages of the season. The plan is to have him fully healthy for the midseason stretch and eventual playoff push rather than risk an early recurrence.
The start of the 2025-26 season for the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers will officially open their 2025-26 season on Tuesday, October 21, in a marquee matchup against the Golden State Warriors. The game was expected to feature another classic showdown between LeBron James and Stephen Curry, two of the defining rivals of the modern NBA era. Unfortunately, due to LeBron’s injury, fans will have to wait a bit longer to see those two legends share the court again.
Even without James, the matchup promises to deliver excitement, given the amount of star power on both sides. The Lakers will look to Luka Doncic to anchor both ends of the floor and set the tone early in the campaign.
For now, all eyes remain on mid-November, the moment when the King is expected to reclaim his throne and lead the Lakers’ charge once more.
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