LeBron James Sidelines Himself Due to Sciatica
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will miss an additional three to four weeks due to sciatica on his right side, the team announced on Thursday.
James, who has yet to participate in training camp, has missed the Lakers’ first two preseason games and has not participated in a full practice due to what coach JJ Redick described as nerve irritation in the glute.
Sciatica describes the symptoms of irritation, inflammation, or compression of the sciatic nerve. The nerve originates in a group of nerve roots in the lumbar (lower) spine and travels through the gluteal muscles and hamstrings before branching into other smaller nerves in the lower leg and foot. Symptoms can range from sharp or burning pain to numbness and tingling.
When asked on Thursday about James’ progress with the injury, before the Lakers revealed the sciatica diagnosis, Redick said James was “following his own timeline”.
If James continues to be out of the game for the full three to four weeks, he would miss the Lakers’ opening game against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
This week it was reported that James would likely miss the preseason, but that he had been aiming for opening night for his return to action.
James embarks on his 23rd season, breaking a tie with Vince Carter for the longest career in NBA history.
Since James joined the Lakers in 2018-19, Los Angeles has a record of 248-171 (a .591 winning percentage) with him on the court. When he doesn’t play, the Lakers have a record of 56-78 (.418).
