LeBron James

LeBron James’ nerve injury started in July

Published

October 11, 2025

Oct 3, 2025; Palm Desert, California, USA; LeBron James gestures as he talks with a referee during the second half of a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

As most NBA fans know, LeBron James is out for the season opener, and will likely miss the first three to four weeks of the NBA season.

Related: BREAKING: LeBron James out for season opener, will miss 3 to 4 weeks

LeBron’s injury is a nerve issue affecting the sciatica on his right side, and it may be more serious than initially thought. The concern arises from the fact that this injury first happened in July, yet he is still experiencing discomfort in October.

“This injury for LeBron, this nerve issue, first occurred in late July during an on-court workout,” Shams Charania said. “It’s now two and a half months and counting that he has been dealing with it and managing it. So even before the Lakers’ media day on September 29th and the start of training camp, I’m told LeBron James had not done much basketball for well over a month before that.

“So it hasn’t been a normal, routine summer for him. For him to be out to start the season shows an admission by him and the Lakers that he needs more time to ramp up and get into basketball shape.”

Reporting for NBA Today on LeBron James' nerve injury set to sideline him into the Lakers 2025-26 season: pic.twitter.com/dMheCIe0EN

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 10, 2025

If LeBron can’t overcome this injury, he may miss much longer than expected. That could set the Lakers up for having a subpar season, as it will all fall on the shoulders of Luka Doncic.

About the Author Published Oct 11, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1