Lakers Rule Out 2 Players for Season Opener vs Warriors

Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball up court ahead of Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without at least two players for their 2025-26 regular season debut Tuesday against the Golden State Warrriors.

More news: Lakers’ LeBron James Set to Make Unfortunate Personal History With Injury Setback

Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times, 21-time All-NBA power forward LeBron James — as expected — and rookie Adou Thiero will both be on the shelf.

James is set to miss at least the next week with a sciatica injury on his right side, and could be evaluated within the next one-to-two weeks. Thiero, meanwhile, continues to recuperate from a left knee surgery.

First injury report of the Lakers season: Maxi Kleber is questionable with an abdominal muscle strain. He missed most of the preseason with a quad injury.

LeBron James (sciatica) and Adou Thiero (knee) are out. pic.twitter.com/QycyqAXVVp

— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) October 21, 2025

The 40-year-old James will miss an opening season game for the first time ever in his 23-season NBA career. The four-time league MVP remains an impressive talent when healthy, but he has lost steam in multiple recent postseason berths. Last year, James played in 70 regular season contests, averaging 24.4 points while slashing .513/.376/.782, plus 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks a night.

Floor-spacing backup Lakers center/power forward Maxi Kleber, who was shelved for most of the preseason due to a quadriceps ailment, has suffered a new injury, an abdominal muscle strain, and is now questionable to play.

More news: Lakers’ JJ Redick Provides Ominous Update on LeBron James Sciatica Injury

The 33-year-old has struggled to stay on the court across each of the past three seasons. Kleber has missed an average of 44 games with various maladies. A throw-in from LA's blockbuster, conference-rattling trade for five-time All-NBA superstar guard Luka Doncic, the 6-foot-10 big man had been playing exclusively for the Mavericks since his 2017-18 NBA debut.

Last year, Kleber was healthy for just 34 bouts (four starts), averaging 3.0 points on .385/.265/.762 shooting splits, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.5 blocks per.

A Botched Backup Center Competition

Kleber, who's on an expiring $11 million contract, and the recently re-signed Jaxson Hayes have been locked in competition for the Lakers' backup center spot behind new starter Deandre Ayton, who joined Los Angeles after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Hayes has a major edge in athleticism and health, while Kleber at least gives the Lakers offense an extra dimension from deep — although his 26.5 percent 3-point rate may appear ominous, he is a career 35.4 percent sharpshooter from long range. If head coach JJ Redick can't even count on his one-time teammate Kleber to stay healthy, it feels like Hayes might have the edge.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.