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By Valentina Martinez
Contributing Sports Writer
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Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for at least three to four weeks due to sciatica on his right side. He will miss the start of the 2025-26 season, and then will be re-evaluated.
Read more: Lakers Announce LeBron James Will Miss Start of Season With Major Injury
So how worried should Lakers fans be? Here are the best and worst-case scenarios for James.
Read More on NBA
Doctor of physical therapy, Evan Jeffries, has been featured on Fox Sports Radio as an NBA and NFL insider. Jeffries provided an instant analysis on James' injury and the severity of it.
"Likely if all goes well with pain means he will need a ramp up period for 1-2 weeks and likely keeps him out at least 4-6 weeks," Jeffries writes.
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Rajpal Brar, doctor of physical therapy, also unveiled what James will have to do to get back on the court.
"We know he's been dealing with gluteal nerve irritation," Brar writes on X (formerly known as Twitter). "'Sciatica' is very much a vague catch all term for all nerve pain in the back or upper leg. Have to gradual with the loading progression."
It'll be interesting to see how the Lakers manage without James, given that he is meant to play an important role for the team as LA chases an NBA title in a competitive Western Conference. The worst-case scenario would be if James missed an extended period of time in what could be his final year in the NBA.
As James enters his 23rd NBA season, the Lakers can't afford to rush the superstar's timeline. Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke to the media about James not long before the injury news was announced.
"You’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt. That’s a shame, but that’s just the reality," Redick said at practice Thursday of James' absence from training camp. "No one has got any time with LeBron [James] hasn’t been on the court with the team, but that’s just the reality.”
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