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[Los Angeles Lakers]

Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Developed Sciatica During Summer Workout

Year 23 for LeBron James was momentarily put on hold this week when it was announced that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar would miss the start of the 2025-26 season due to a sciatica on his right side.

James and his camp cautioned the Lakers that he’d need more time to ramp up and it was later revealed it was due to injury.

This is the first time in James’ career that he will miss Opening Night, a sign that this isn’t an injury to be taken lightly.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, James initially developed the issue during a summer workout:

“My understanding is this injury for LeBron, this nerve issue, first developed, first occurred, in late July, early August, during an on-court workout. So it’s now two-and-a-half months and counting that he’s had to deal with it and manage it. So even before the Lakers’ Media Day on Sept. 29 and the start of training camp, I’m told LeBron James had not done much basketball for well over a month prior to that. So it had been a normal routine summer for him, he’s a creature of habit, we know that by the way he maintains his body. 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, getting into basketball shape, getting into the right basketball conditioning that he’s accustomed to. He’s not there yet.”

It’s a bit concerning that James hadn’t been able to participate in much basketball activity since suffering the injury, potentially delaying his return to the court even more. The initial announcement said LeBron would be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, though that means he’ll still need time afterward to ramp up if cleared.

Luka Doncic is positioned to fully take over the team in James’ absence, and he and the team can take solace in the fact that the early part of their schedule is relatively light. Hopefully LeBron is able to return sooner than later because the Western Conference looks unforgiving on paper.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves want to continue playing with LeBron James​

LeBron James may be the oldest player in the league, but he remains one of the best. While Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will have to open the season without him, they reportedly expressed a desire to want to continue playing with him beyond this year.

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Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-lebron-james-developed-sciatica-during-summer-workout/

 

[Los Angeles Lakers]

Lakers Video: Lamar Odom Reveals Kobe Bryant Tattoo On Neck

Kobe Bryant is truly one of the most iconic players to ever step foot on an NBA floor and one of the most beloved Los Angeles Lakers players ever. His impact was profound not only on the fans who watched him for 20 years, but also on his teammates and one who was extremely close with him was Lamar Odom.

Odom was an uniquely talented forward who truly reached his potential when he joined the Lakers. He won two championships with the purple and gold alongside Kobe and was also named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011. He has always spoken about how important Kobe was to him in life and he showed more proof of that recently.

The former Lakers forward recently appeared on an episode of the Club Shay Shay podcast with Shannon Sharpe where he revealed that he got Kobe’s face tattooed on his neck, via Lamar Odom on X:

Kobe's Impact: Why I Honor Him! #kobebryant pic.twitter.com/bugiVOmXEk

— LAMAR ODOM (@LamarOdom) October 10, 2025

As Sharpe noted, to get another man’s face tattooed on you that isn’t a child or parent or any other close family member is the ultimate sign of respect, but that just shows the level of impact Bryant had on Odom. The love and respect went well beyond playing basketball on the Lakers together and Odom will always view Kobe in the highest light.

Odom has gone through an unreal amount of difficulties and circumstances in his life and Bryant was someone who helped guide and motivate him through some dark periods. Plenty of people took the tragic death of Kobe hard, but few had the relationship with Bryant that Odom had and putting his face on his neck permanently shows just how much he loves and idolizes the Lakers icon.

Lakers coach JJ Redick learning not everyone is wired like Kobe Bryant​

One of the things that made Kobe Bryant iconic was that he is truly wired differently or, as Lakers coach JJ Redick would say, a basketball “sicko.” Everyone is not wired that way and Redick is figuring that out as he grows as a coach.

Redick spoke about the things he learned in his first season as a head coach with the Lakers and he talked about recognizing that not everyone is wired that certain way that Kobe was and that he has to be able to meet these players at a certain level without sacrificing the standards he has.

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Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-video-lamar-odom-reveals-kobe-bryant-tattoo-on-neck/