LeBron James will start his 23rd NBA season not on the court, but in recovery. The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that the 39-year-old superstar has been diagnosed with sciatica, a nerve condition that will keep him sidelined for roughly three to four weeks.
The setback marks a rare pause for a player known for his longevity and meticulous approach to health and it arrives just as he was preparing to make history.
The announcement followed days of speculation about James‘s fitness after he missed several practices and preseason appearances.
What initially seemed like minor discomfort in his lower back and glutes turned out to be a more complex issue involving irritation of the sciatic nerve.
The condition can cause pain, tingling, and weakness that radiates down the leg, making explosive movement difficult, especially for an athlete who has built a career on strength and endurance.
As word spread of his diagnosis, former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rashad McCants decided to inject some humor into the situation. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), McCants wrote, “The Second Decision!!!! Golfing ain’t no joke….,” teasing LeBron for spending more time on the golf course during the offseason.
The quip referenced the viral “Second Decision” campaign, a tongue-in-cheek marketing project that had fans briefly believing James might be announcing retirement before revealing it was tied to a new alcohol brand partnership.
While McCants’s comment drew laughs online, ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell explained that sciatica is no joke.
She told reporter Dave McMenamin that the condition involves “irritation, inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve,” and that recovery depends heavily on pinpointing what caused the pressure. For an athlete of James‘s size and workload, the healing process must be carefully managed to prevent recurrence.
Patience becomes the Lakers’ early-season priority
Lakers head coach JJ Redick emphasized that James will set his own recovery timeline, making it clear that the team won’t take unnecessary risks.
“He’s not getting cleared until he’s ready,” Redick told local reporters, signaling that Los Angeles would prioritize long-term health over short-term results.
According to multiple reports, James is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason and at least one week of the regular season. That means the Lakers could open the year without their primary playmaker and emotional anchor, a significant challenge for a team hoping to contend in the Western Conference.
Read the full article here
