Overview

• James, 40, is sidelined with right-side sciatica in his 23rd season and will miss opening night for the first time in his career.
• Head coach J.J. Redick said James is “on his own timeline,” and he has not participated in a full practice or any preseason games.
• The condition was initially described as nerve irritation in the glute, and reporting indicates the issue surfaced during a late July or early August workout.
• The Lakers are preparing for Dončić, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and others to shoulder more responsibility as lineups are tested.
• A packed early schedule featuring eight games in 13 days increases the emphasis on careful management, with a potential late October or early November return dependent on clearance and a deliberately cautious approach reported by ESPN.