LeBron James injury update: LA Lakers star to miss NBA 2025/26 season start with nerve issue
LeBron James is set to miss the start of the 2025/26 NBA season after sustaining an injury.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at how the Los Angeles Lakers are handling their star’s recovery and what his absence means for the team’s early-season outlook.
LeBron’s patience over power
LeBron James will not be suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers when the 2025/26 NBA season tips off.
The veteran forward is dealing with a nerve injury on his left side, which has already sidelined him from preseason activity.
Reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania confirm that LeBron will be re-evaluated on October 30, but even then, a return is not expected immediately.
Both the Lakers and LeBron are taking a careful approach, aiming for a mid-November comeback once he completes his conditioning program.
LeBron reportedly began experiencing the issue in late July or early August during a workout session.
Since then, he has been undergoing treatment and working through a patient recovery plan focused on long-term health rather than rushing back to the court.
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A careful recovery plan
Sources close to the situation have indicated that LeBron’s recovery process will be gradual, involving basketball-specific conditioning and controlled on-court activity.
The Lakers have made it clear they will prioritise his full recovery before allowing him to return to competition.
Charania noted that even after the late-October evaluation, it could take several more weeks for LeBron to reach full game shape.
This means that if his recovery timeline stretches into mid-November, he could miss the first 10 to 15 games of the season.
Consistency despite age
Despite the setback, LeBron remains one of the league’s most productive players. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 70 games.
At 40 years old, he continues to perform at an elite level, defying typical athletic decline.
However, this latest injury has raised new questions about the toll of maintaining such a high workload after more than two decades in the NBA.
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Signs of time catching up
LeBron will turn 41 in December, and while his conditioning and durability are legendary, it is natural to wonder if injuries like this might become more frequent as he nears the twilight of his career.
Nerve-related issues can be unpredictable, and recovery often requires patience to prevent long-term complications.
As LeBron approaches his 23rd NBA season, the Lakers must balance their ambitions with the reality of managing an aging superstar’s body.
For now, ‘The King’ appears focused on ensuring he returns only when fully ready, rather than rushing back for early-season games.
The Lakers move forward
The Lakers will begin the season without their leader, leaning on Anthony Davis and a mix of young talent to keep the team competitive until LeBron’s return.
While fans eagerly await his comeback, the organisation understands that patience now may be the key to keeping LeBron effective for the rest of the season and possibly beyond.
Whether this injury proves to be an isolated setback or a sign of things to come remains to be seen.
What is certain, however, is that LeBron’s next chapter will be defined not only by his performance but by how his body holds up against the demands of time and competition.
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