LeBron James is expected to be out of action until at least mid-November due to sciatica. He is not expected to be re-evaluated until October 30, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Los Angeles Lakers play 14 games through Nov. 15, including a five-game road trip from Nov. 8-15. The Lakers will then play five of their next six games at home starting November 18.
James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games last season. He earned both his 21st All-Star and 21st All-NBA selections.
If the 40-year-old superstar were to miss the first fourteen games, his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA team selections would be in jeopardy. Players must play a minimum of 65 regular season games to be eligible for end-of-season awards.
James is said to have suffered the injury during on-field training at the end of July, meaning he has now been dealing with the problem for almost three months.
This Lakers team was built with James being the second-best player. There will now be enormous pressure and demands on Austin Reaves.
Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on LeBron James expected a patient approach before his Lakers season debut: pic.twitter.com/Z2INLMGhfZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 16, 2025
James’ history is put on hold, but will it be more?
As previously mentioned, it appears that this sciatica injury will break James’ streak of individual accolades. Could last season be the last time we see him earn an end-of-season award?
Looking at James at this stage of his career, it may well be in his best interest to play fewer than 65 games per season. He has been named to the All-NBA First Team thirteen times, to the Second Team four times and to the Third Team four times as well.
He has nothing left to prove in that regard. If he has serious ambitions of making a deep playoff run and trying to add to his total of four championships, then this might be the balance he needs.
Imagine a scenario where the Lakers make the playoffs, with James playing somewhere between 50 and 60 games and peaking in time for the postseason. That’s a victory for all parties involved, except perhaps the paying spectators.
There’s really no need for James to play both sides of a back-to-back move. Unless it’s a matter of playoff positioning or sheer desperation, he should control his body.
Los Angeles opens the season at home against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
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