LeBron James Details Sciatica Struggle Ahead of Record-Breaking 23rd NBA Season

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James opened up about his battle with sciatica just days before making NBA history. Speaking to reporters on Nov. 17, James revealed that a flare-up of the painful nerve condition had sidelined him for the start of the season.

Sciatica, caused by irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve, can lead to severe pain and limited mobility. “It’s not fun,” James said, adding that he first experienced the condition two years ago. “If you ain’t never had it, and people are making jokes about it, I pray you never get it.”

LeBron James returned to the court on Nov. 18, becoming the first player in NBA history to appear in 23 seasons.

He described the day-to-day difficulty of managing the pain: “You wake up and hope when you step out of bed you don’t feel it. You go to bed hoping you don’t feel it. I’ve been doing pretty good with it as of late.”

Despite the setback, LeBron James said he maintained a positive mindset and relied on mobility exercises and treatment to work his way back.

After his first full practice of the season, James admitted conditioning remains a hurdle. “My lungs feel like a newborn baby,” he joked. “I’ve got to get my lungs back up to a grown man.”

LeBron James made an immediate impact in his season debut, recording a double-double—11 points and 12 assists—in the Lakers’ 140–125 win over the Utah Jazz. He also passed Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller to move into sixth place on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list.

The Lakers have thrived in his absence, entering his return at an impressive 11–3.