Lakers Forward Gets Brutally Honest About Life Without Injured LeBron James

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) react to a call from referee Courtney Kirkland (61) against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers announced superstar forward LeBron James would be out for three to four weeks with sciatica on his right side on Oct. 9, meaning he will miss the Lakers' opening game of the season — and perhaps even more.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday that James will likely be out through the middle of November with his injury, and that he will take a patient approach to his return.

"I'm told that the Lakers and LeBron are looking at around mid-November as a realistic debut for him," Charania said. "So, October 30th would be the earliest that the Lakers would be officially reevaluating LeBron James, but it is expected that he will need at least a few weeks after that point."

Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on LeBron James expected to take a patient approach before his Lakers season debut: pic.twitter.com/Z2INLMGhfZ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 16, 2025

Lakers teammate Jarred Vanderbilt spoke about missing the future Hall of Famer while he's out with injury, and that he can understand what he's going through having missed the beginning of the 2024-25 season with injuries to his heel and foot.

“It sucks … But I would say we’re excited to have him whenever he comes and he is available," he said.

Jarred Vanderbilt, who was sidelined to begin last season, says he feels for what LeBron James is going through with his sciatica. “It sucks … But I would say we’re excited to have him whenever he comes and he is available” pic.twitter.com/G6RAQDeXi9

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2025

Vanderbilt would have a huge role to play in James' absence; however he suffered a left quad contusion in Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers haven't revealed the severity of the injury yet, but they'll hope the seventh-year forward can make his return before opening night.

More news: LeBron James' Timeline to Return to Lakers Finally Revealed

James is obviously a huge miss for the Lakers, as he is still among the best players in the league coming into his 23rd season in the NBA. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in 2024-25, placing him sixth in MVP voting.

Without James around, the Lakers will have to take a step up elsewhere to remain relevant through the early part of the 2025-26 season. That shouldn't be much of a problem, as they still have the star power of Luka Doncic and added loads of much-needed depth during the offseason.

More news: How Lakers Could Be Affected by Jarred Vanderbilt’s Injury News

The Lakers signed defensive specialist Marcus Smart in the offseason, who will certainly help cover the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith, as well as center DeAndre Ayton, who filled the biggest hole in their roster from last season.

They also added forward Jake LaRavia, who will undoubtedly have a huge role to play in the opening weeks of the season while James recovers.

For more Lakers, head over to Lakers on SI.