Image Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

LeBron James Expected to Monitor Lakers’ Situation While Being on Sidelines Due to Sciatica

James will be on sidelines for the start of 2025-26 season due to sciatica.

Image Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James will be on the sidelines for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. He is expected to miss a few weeks of action, both during pre-season and regular season opener, due to sciatica. However, James, who is set to enter his 23rd season in the league, is going to make the most of his time he has gotten due to the injury. The 40-year-old wants to be at his best in time for the playoffs, and as per reports, he will monitor his team’s ability to do so while being on the sidelines.

According to Dave McMenamin, “LeBron’s gotta be watching, while he’s out. If they are struggling, that could lead to the next step.” He added that according to the agent of the four-time NBA champion, Rich Paul, James’ priority is to win, and if the Lakers aren’t able to do so, he might move somewhere else. “When Rich Paul said that LeBron will be watching the Lakers’ every move because the priority is to win. If they are not winning, maybe LeBron might have to go elsewhere.”

Notably, James is set to be the first player to play his 23rd NBA season. He has one more year on his contract with the gold and purple brigade. In the previous season, he averaged 24.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game in 75 matches played.

JJ Redick yet to Figure out Lineup Without LeBron James

JJ Redick made his first comments since LeBron James’ sciatica injury timeline was released and said LAL is still figuring it out. “It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be. That’s the reality” pic.twitter.com/RZMMTEDEuq
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 11, 2025

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is yet to figure out the team’s lineup without James. Redick recently spoke to reporters, where he admitted that he is uncertain about the team’s starting five while James remains on sidelines with sciatica. “You hope that he’s back soon,” Redick said, via Dave McMenamin. “Those things can be tricky. It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be, that’s the reality, until he is back. We’ll have to figure that out.”’

While James is out, all the remaining Lakers players will be required to step up in their roles and fill the void of his absence. As far as the lineup is concerned, generally, James would start alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura. Without James, there won’t be any option on the wing and the coach will have to settle between Jake LaRavia or Jarred Vanderbilt.

Whatever the 17-time NBA champions decide now will tell a lot about the forthcoming season. While there may be a small number of games that James is missing right now, if they figure out a plan now, it will help them in the long run.

LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.