Could LeBron James' sciatica injury end his career? What doctors are saying

Could LeBron James' Sciatica Injury End His Career? What Doctors Are Saying

LeBron James has not yet played for the Los Angeles Lakers this season due to his ongoing recovery from a persistent sciatica injury. In early October, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the 40-year-old was sidelined because of nerve irritation in his glute and was expected to miss the entire preseason. On October 9, the Lakers announced he would be out for at least 3 to 4 weeks. However, the recovery period has since extended.

Updated Recovery Timeline

Before the Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, coach JJ Redick informed reporters that LeBron is now aiming to return in the second or third week of November. This delay means the four-time MVP, now entering his 23rd NBA season, will miss a minimum of the first 10 regular-season games.

Sciatica Explained by Medical Expert

The extended break has generated speculation that this injury might bring LeBron closer to retirement. EssentiallySports consulted Dr. Jay Shah, Medical Director of Sports Medicine at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, for professional insight on sciatica.

"Sciatica is an umbrella term and can mean a few different things. But overall, there is a nerve impingement,” Dr. Shah explained. "Recovery can take a couple of weeks or a couple of months."

LeBron’s prolonged absence and varied recovery time have raised concerns, though the exact impact on his career remains uncertain.

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Summary: LeBron James’ sciatica injury has led to an extended absence this NBA season, with doctors indicating recovery can be unpredictable, sparking retirement speculation among fans.

Hindustan Times — 2025-11-01