Lakers Notes: LeBron James Injury, Timeline for Return, Who Will Step Up for LA

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will miss at least the next 3-4 weeks because of sciatica on his right side. James, who has not participated in training camp or the first two games of the preseason, will miss at least a little less than a quarter of the season. 

The 40-year-old superstar was at the forefront of the offseason for the Lakers, and that remains the case, but in a different way this time as the 2025-26 season approaches. 

James will certainly miss the season opener, which is scheduled for Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors. While the timeline is set at 3-4 weeks, an additional ramp-up could increase the timeline to 4-6 weeks, depending on how severe it is. 

With James out, several key players will need to step up, including Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, and their newly signed forward, Jake LaRavia. 

Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Lakers news (click the headline for the full article):

Lakers' LeBron James Has 3-Emoji Reaction to the 'Second Decision'

Lakers Receive Unfortunate Trade Update on Dalton Knecht

LeBron James Didn't Even Tell Lakers Teammates About 'Second Decision'

Lakers’ LeBron James to Miss Start of Season With Injury, What Does It Mean for LA?

What is Sciatica? Everything to Know About LeBron James’ Injury for Lakers

ESPN Analyst Takes Shot at Lakers’ LeBron James After Injury News

3 Lakers Who Have to Step Up in LeBron James’ Absence

Lakers Tweets of the Day: