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.
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 operating as a tertiary option as a scorer and secondary option as a playmaker.
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.
Elizabeth Corrigan Hard Launches Relationship with New Girlfriend
Bachelor Nation fans got to know Elizabeth Corrigan on Season 26 of “The Bachelor.”
Since her time on the show, Elizabeth has been keeping followers updated with her life on social media.
And in 2022, the Bachelor Nation star publicly came out as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Now, Elizabeth has taken to her Instagram Story to reveal that she’s found love off-screen.
She hard launched her new relationship with a cute selfie, which showed Elizabeth and her girlfriend sailing on a boat in front of a city.
The couple also posed for a photo together in the middle of a city park, smiling and looking at one another.
Elizabeth didn’t add any tags or mentions, so the name of her girlfriend is still a mystery.
However, people shared their love and one person commented on the Instagram Story, “So happy for you both ♥️.”
How sweet!
We are so happy for Elizabeth and her new girlfriend and can’t wait for them to share more when they are ready.
We’ll keep you posted if we hear any more about this new budding romance!
