The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a tough start to the 2025–26 NBA season—and it begins with LeBron James on the sidelines.

The team confirmed Thursday that the 21-time All-Star will miss three to four weeks due to sciatica on his right side, an injury that could delay his return to full action. James, who turns 41 this season, is preparing for his record-setting 23rd year in the NBA and eighth with the Lakers.

Following the Lakers’ announcement, spinal specialist physiotherapist Thomas Dekkers took to X to explain just how complex and underappreciated sciatica can be. “Radicular or neuropathic pain — ‘sciatica’ — is a BIG problem, and one I think that’s just not acknowledged enough,” Dekkers wrote. “Out of the 12 spinal patients I saw yesterday, six had a radicular pain compone

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