The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off the 2025-26 NBA regular season against the Golden State Warriors, but it was without their legendary 40-year-old leader, LeBron James. This marks the first time in his illustrious 23-year career that James has missed opening night, as he continues to recover from a persistent sciatic nerve condition that first emerged during offseason workouts in late July.
Team insiders maintain a hopeful stance on James’s eventual recovery, but the Lakers’ medical staff have publicly insisted that his long-term health will be prioritized over a rapid comeback. There is no exact date for his return, but internal projections from NBA insiders, including Shams Charania, point to mid-November as the most realistic target—though December remains a possibility, given the unpredictable course of nerve injuries. As he undergoes physical therapy and rehabilitation, James will continue to be evaluated in the weeks ahead, with October 30th serving as the earliest possible checkpoint for a status update.
Amidst this uncertainty, rumors have circulated that James’s growing passion for golf during the offseason might be connected to his current injury. While orthopedic specialists acknowledge that the rotational forces involved in a golf swing can exacerbate conditions like sciatica for some athletes, no direct medical evidence links James’s nerve troubles to golfing. ESPN and medical professionals emphasize that his sciatica could be just as likely the result of intensive basketball training, making the golf theory merely speculation. Sciatica is a painful inflammation or irritation of the nerve running from the lower back through the leg, and it can significantly hinder an athlete’s strength, balance, and explosiveness.
James’s absence has left the Lakers to open the season without his on-court leadership, and both fans and bettors have grown increasingly frustrated as inside information about his condition has made its way into gambling circles at this sports betting platform. While sportsbooks have yet to change the Lakers’ long-term odds significantly, his unavailability impacted early game lines, with Golden State favored on the road for the opener. The Lakers could not overcome this disadvantage, ultimately dropping the home opener to the Warriors, further underscoring the immediate effects of James’s injury on the team’s performance.
Lakers Roster Changes
The 2025-26 season brings sweeping changes for the Los Angeles Lakers, as the franchise ushers in the Luka Dončić era following a blockbuster offseason trade that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and significant draft capital to Dallas. With Davis debuting successfully as a Maverick, the Lakers prioritized reshaping their roster for greater versatility and balance around Dončić by bringing in several experienced contributors, notably Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.
Deandre Ayton, acquired to solidify the Lakers’ interior, wasted no time establishing his importance to the lineup through the first two games. He averaged 13.5 points and 10 rebounds, providing a steady post presence, rebounding muscle, and a reliable finishing option, particularly in pick-and-roll sets with Dončić. Ayton’s size and mobility have help shore up the rim defense, and his chemistry with both Dončić and Austin Reaves has been promising as the team adapts to a new identity.
Marcus Smart’s arrival has enhanced the Lakers’ defensive versatility and backcourt toughness. In the first two contests, Smart contributed both as a lead ball-handler and lockdown defender, frequently guarding the opponent’s top perimeter threats and energizing the team with vocal leadership. His knack for deflections, timely threes, and ability to run the offense with Dončić or Reaves off the ball illustrates his adaptability and importance during LeBron James’s ongoing absence.
Jake LaRavia adds depth on the wing, stretching defenses with his three-point shooting and hustling for rebounds, making him a useful rotation piece during this transitional stretch. With JJ Redick returning as head coach, the Lakers’ evolving core—Dončić, Ayton, Smart, Reaves, and, when healthy, James—faces the challenge of forging immediate chemistry and keeping pace in the Western Conference, offering fans an intriguing new chapter in Lakers basketball.
Dončić and Reaves Step Up
Luka Dončić has made Lakers history with 92 points in his first two games this season (43 in the opener, 49 in the second). This franchise record surpasses Jerry West’s prior best and ranks him ahead of Michael Jordan for the NBA’s fourth-highest two-game start ever. Dončić’s electric start comes after he led the NBA in scoring last season and averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in 2024-25.
Austin Reaves, who averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game last season, is expected to play a larger role in James’ absence. The pairing of Dončić and Reaves gives JJ Redick confidence that the Lakers can weather LeBron’s absence and potentially strengthen their run later in the season.
Looking Ahead
While speculation persists about how long LeBron’s recovery might take, the Lakers focus on developing chemistry with their reconfigured roster and maintaining playoff aspirations. Due to LeBron’s injury, the team’s odds have lengthened on many betting platforms, but Dončić’s historic performance provides hope that the Purple & Gold can remain competitive in his absence.
