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LeBron James ruled out of LA Lakers opener vs Golden State Warriors

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 7:39 PM ET

LeBron James will miss the LA Lakers’ opening game of the NBA season.

Superstar LeBron James was expected to miss the LA Lakers‘ entire preseason, and now it has emerged he will miss the opening tip-off.

Shams Charania reports LeBron James is now dealing with back pain which rules him out for likely the whole of October.

He posted on X: “Lakers star LeBron James is sidelined for at least 3 to 4 weeks due to sciatica on his right side. He is out for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.”

Lakers star LeBron James is sidelined for at least 3 to 4 weeks due to sciatica on his right side. He is out for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 9, 2025

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

Lakers set to be without LeBron James vs Warriors

JJ Redick must now plan without LeBron James for the Lakers’ season opener vs the Golden State Warriors.

It is a short-term blow, but the Lakers’ top priority is to ensure LeBron James is ready and healthy for the NBA Playoffs next year. He turns 41 in December.

With superstar Luka Doncic capable of running the offense, the Lakers can afford for LeBron James to miss games, a scenario they could not afford before.

LeBron has not been able to practice with the Lakers so far this offseason, and at least now there is some clarity over his situation, and they can begin working with what they have available.

Lakers opening games

After the opener against the Warriors, the Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves twice in their opening six games in October, the team that knocked them out of the NBA Playoffs.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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