Image Source: James H. Williams, USA TODAY
Key Takeaways
- LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wednesday night game against the San Antonio Spurs due to left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica.
- James played 33 minutes and scored 30 points during the Lakers’ game on Tuesday night, but his left foot was bothering him afterwards.
- The 41-year-old has been dealing with sciatica, a pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which delayed the start of his 23rd NBA season.
- The Lakers will play the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 7, without James.
Introduction to the Injury
LeBron James, the 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles Lakers, has been ruled out of the team’s Wednesday night game against the San Antonio Spurs. According to the Lakers, James will be out due to left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica. This news comes after James played 33 minutes and scored 30 points during the Lakers’ game on Tuesday night. As James stated after the game, "at his age, his status for every back-to-back is ‘TBD.’" This quote highlights the challenges that James faces as he continues to play in the NBA at an advanced age.
The Extent of the Injury
The injury to James’ left foot and sciatica has been an ongoing issue for the veteran player. As reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters that James’ left foot was bothering him after playing on Tuesday. This is not the first time that James has dealt with sciatica, as it delayed the start of his 23rd NBA season. Sciatica is a pain caused by some level of irritation, pinching, or compression of the sciatic nerve, according to the Cleveland Clinic. As the Cleveland Clinic notes, "the sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. It begins at the lower part of the spinal cord and extends through the buttocks, back of the thigh and down to the foot." This means that the area of pain can range anywhere along the back of the leg, making it a challenging injury to manage.
James’ Season So Far
Despite the challenges posed by his injury, James has had a solid season so far. He made his season debut on Nov. 18 against the Utah Jazz and has averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game in 18 games played this season. These statistics demonstrate that James is still a dominant force in the NBA, even at the age of 41. However, the injuries to his left foot and sciatica will continue to be a concern for the Lakers and their fans.
The Upcoming Game
The Lakers will play the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 7, without James. This game will be a challenge for the Lakers, as they will be without their star player. However, the team will need to step up and fill the void left by James’ absence. As the Lakers look to the future, they will need to manage James’ injuries carefully to ensure that he can continue to play at a high level. As James said, his status for every back-to-back is "TBD," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his injuries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wednesday night game against the San Antonio Spurs due to left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica. The injury to James’ left foot and sciatica has been an ongoing issue, and it will continue to be a concern for the Lakers and their fans. Despite the challenges posed by his injury, James has had a solid season so far, averaging 21.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game in 18 games played this season. The Lakers will need to step up and fill the void left by James’ absence in their upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/lakers/2026/01/07/lebron-james-injury-update-lakers-spurs/88073792007/
