Much was made of JJ Redick’s decision to rest his superstars during the preseason, a move that placed health above all else. Before LeBron James’ sciatica injury was fully disclosed- initially labeled as mere “glute irritation”– Redick had already hinted at a cautious approach, saying James was “on his own timeline.” The Lakers have since confirmed that LeBron will miss three to four weeks with right-sided sciatica, an injury that first surfaced during a workout in late July. As a result, he’s expected to miss opening night, marking the first time in his 23-year career he won’t suit up to start a season.

Redick hasn’t downplayed the challenge of preparing his team under these circumstances. In a recent radio appearance, he admitted that the absence of his two stars has made things difficult. “It’s hard when your two best players are not on the floor,” Redick said, also noting that guard Austin Reaves missed a preseason game. With just 10 days before the regular season, the Lakers are scrambling to build chemistry and define roles- an uphill battle for a team still trying to establish its new identity.

With James sidelined, Redick is placing increased responsibility on new center Deandre Ayton. The coach outlined a crucial role for the big man on both ends of the court. “I think it’s important for him to touch the basketball because we’re going to ask a lot of him as a screener and a rim runner and the anchor of our defense,” Redick explained. He emphasized that Ayton’s ability to punish smaller defenders in the post is a new weapon the Lakers lacked last season.

Ayton himself confirmed that the process of building on-court chemistry has been delayed. When asked about working with James and Luka Doncic, he told reporters, “I haven’t. Something I’ve just been waiting on.”

Coach Redick later clarified that while Ayton has practiced a few times with Doncic, no one on the team has shared the floor with LeBron James during this training camp.

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The injury to James, who averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season, forces the Lakers to lean heavily on Doncic and Ayton earlier than planned. Ayton, who signed a two-year, $16.6 million deal, has averaged a double-double in each of his seven NBA seasons.

With Doncic poised to shoulder more offensive load and role players like Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart providing perimeter support, Ayton steps into the starting center role as the anchor. Redick’s system emphasizes spacing, ball movement, and paint protection- areas where Ayton can thrive to keep the Lakers’ contender status intact during this stretch.

LeBron’s absence amplifies the need for extra possessions, especially with Doncic’s usage rate (over 35% last season) potentially leading to more misses. The Lakers ranked 15th in offensive rebounding percentage last year; Ayton can push that into the top 5.

Pair with Redick’s pick-and-roll heavy sets: Ayton rolls hard off Doncic’s screens, crashing the glass on any dump-offs or kick-outs. Without LeBron’s drives and kick-outs, the offense risks stagnating around Doncic isolations. Ayton must convert 55%+ from the field (his career mark) to punish mismatches.

Redick’s immediate hope is that Ayton’s presence as a rim runner and defensive anchor can help stabilize the team during this uncertain opening stretch.

LeBron James’ Injury Update Marks Historic Streak to an End

LeBron James will not play in the team’s season opener, breaking his personal streak of 22 consecutive opening night appearances. The Lakers are scheduled to host the Golden State Warriors on October 21st to start the regular season.

NBA insider Shams Charania provided a detailed update on the situation. Charania revealed the origin of the nerve issue, stating, “Malika, my understanding is this injury for LeBron, this nerve issue, first developed, first occurred in late July, early August during an on-court workout.”

Charania further explained that James has been managing this problem for an extended period. “So it’s now two and a half months and counting that he’s had to deal with it and manage it,” he said.

The insider noted that James had limited basketball activity long before the Lakers’ media day on September 29th, impacting his usual offseason routine.

James entered the new campaign carrying strong momentum from the 2024–25 season, where he played 70 games- his most since 2021–22—and earned Second-Team All-NBA honors, posting numbers that continued to defy his age.

Offseason reports in late June showed him training diligently, signalling no lingering effects from the knee issue or the groin strain he suffered in March 2025, which he had downplayed as minor. By media day on September 29, 2025, James reiterated that he had no “specific timetable” for retirement, emphasizing instead his focus on contending for another championship alongside Luka.

While he was limited to individual workouts and missed full practices and the Lakers’ first two preseason games (vs the Suns on Oct. 4 and the Warriors on Oct. 5), reports suggested he was steadily ramping up on-court activity and expected to be ready for the October 21 opener. JJ Redick acknowledged the cautious approach, noting the “22 years of wear and tear” on James’ body as the team prioritizes long-term health over early-season readiness.

This cautious approach by both the player and the organization highlights the severity of the situation. Charania emphasized, “So for him to be out to start the season and miss his first ever opening night, it shows an admission by him and the Lakers that he needs more time to ramp up, get into basketball shape, get into the right basketball conditioning that he is accustomed to. He’s not there yet.”