LeBron James is out due to a sciatica issue on his right side, and the Lakers announced he would be reevaluated in three to four weeks, so he’s not playing the season opener and is expected to miss at least several weeks into October and November. The early medical timeline given by the team indicates a cautious return plan, with a target window around mid-November if rehab progresses well.

Context and what this means:

• Injury: Sciatica causing nerve-related pain down the leg, limiting on-court participation. This is a nerve issue rather than a typical muscle strain, which often requires a careful rehab approach.

• Timeline: Initial re-evaluation three to four weeks after the October 9 update, suggesting a return somewhere in mid-November if progress remains favorable. Some reports cited October 21–22 as the opening-night absence, with ongoing uncertainty beyond that window.

• Impact: Lakers will rely on other players to start the season while James rests and rehabs, and team officials have emphasized a patient, injury-driven approach to avoid setbacks.

If you’d like, I can pull the latest updates from multiple outlets to confirm the most current return timeline and any developments, or summarize how sciatica is typically managed for NBA players.