Lakers Receive Concerning Update On LeBron James’ Availability
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James to begin the 2025-26 NBA season. The veteran superstar has been dealing with nerve irritation in his glute. As such, he’s not been an active participant in Los Angeles’ preseason preparations.
On Thursday, Oct. 9, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that LeBron will miss the opening three to four weeks of the new season. Charania noted how LeBron is dealing with Sciatica, which is likely an escalation of the original nerve irritation.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, that means LeBron will need to slot into the rotation having missed all of preseason. He will need to adjust to any new caveats of the offensive and defensive schemes on the fly. Fortunately, LeBron has an elite basketball IQ and should have no problem figuring out his role on both ends of the floor.
Lakers star LeBron James is sidelined for at least 3 to 4 weeks due to sciatica on his right side. He is out for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 9, 2025
With LeBron on the sidelines, Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton will have a perfect opportunity to work on their two-man game, with Austin Reaves
Lakers’ LeBron James Is On His Own Timeline
When speaking to the media on Thursday, head coach JJ Redick noted how LeBron is working on his own timeline in terms of his recovery and return to the team.
“You gotta play the cards you’re dealt,” Redick said. “I know that’s a cliche, but that’s just the reality. DA (Deandre Ayton) got a couple days with Luka (Doncic) last week. No one’s got any time with LeBron, it’s not just DA…He’s (LeBron) on his own time.”
Given LeBron’s latest timeline to return, it’s fair to assume that early to mid-November will be the first time we get to see him this season. Of course, that timeline could be pushed back if the issue persists and he needs additional treatment or rehabilitation.
Carmelo Anthony Wants LeBron to Retire a Laker
During a recent discussion with DJ Siddiqi of PokerScout, Carmelo Anthony shared his opinion that LeBron should see out the remainder of his career with the Lakers.
“I don’t know (what he will do), but he should end his years with the Lakers,” Anthony said. “You’re talking about somebody who wants to win championships, and he wants to be put into the right position to win it. It’s a lot of talk around him, surrounding him and surrounding the Lakers, like it is every single year. He’s just going to go out there and play.”
LeBron is currently in the final year of his contract, after opting into his $52.6 million player option earlier this summer. There’s no telling how much longer he plans to stay in the league. However, the opportunity to bow out of the NBA as a Laker will likely appeal to him, especially as he’s established in Los Angeles and would be unlikely to move away for a full season.
For now, though, LeBron’s full focus will likely be on returning to the court. After all, the Lakers have a shot at contending for a championship this season. But, in order to do so, Redick will need LeBron healthy and ready to help make a push during the latter stages of the season and throughout the playoffs.
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets Series History: Which team holds the edge heading to London?
The Denver Broncos and New York Jets have a rivalry that dates back to the old AFL days in the 1960s. They will now take it across the pond to London.
The Broncos have played in just two games since the start of the NFL International Series, with this being their first game in another country since October 30, 2022. The Jets have played in three games in the series, with the most recent coming last season in a 23-17 loss to the
The Broncos and Jets have faced each other 42 times across their histories, with the Broncos holding a close edge in the all-time series,
The Jets have two separate three-game winning streaks over the Broncos and the Broncos won five straight over the Jets from 1967 to 1976. Aside from that, it's been like a teeter-totter.
Denver won the most recent meeting, beating the Jets 10-9 on the road on a rain-soaked field at MetLife Stadium. That got the Broncos to 2-2 on the season and though it wasn't pretty, it was a key win for the team.
The Broncos have a 1-1 record in international games while the Jets are 1-2. It will be a big game for both teams as the Broncos are sitting at 3-2 on the season following a huge win over the
The Broncos and Jets are scheduled for kickoff at 7:30 AM Mountain time and the game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. It will be televised on NFL Network. Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner will call the action.
