LeBron James to miss start of Lakers’ season due to sciatica, to be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks

The Los Angeles Lakers announced that forward LeBron James will miss the start of the season due to sciatica on his right side.

The team said James, who is entering his 23rd NBA season, will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. The Lakers open the regular season on Oct. 21 at home against the Golden State Warriors.

Sciatica is “nerve pain from an injury or irritation to your sciatic nerve,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. It affects one or more of the nerves that run down the lower back through the hip and buttocks and down the leg on both sides of the body.

James, who will turn 41 in December, has yet to participate in the Lakers’ practices and preseason games. Coach JJ Redick said after the team’s first practice on Sept. 30 that the Lakers and James were attempting to manage the situation as the veteran “probably (needs) a little bit longer of a ramp up leading into opening night.”

Redick added that James was dealing with “a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.”

At the time, the hope was for James to play at some point in the preseason, with the main goal of being ready for opening night.

James is the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes played, and this season, he should pass Robert Parrish for most games played in league history.

This story will be updated.