Why LeBron James Won’t Play in NBA Games for a Month

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LeBron Jameswill be on the sidelines for now. 

According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers revealed on October 9th that their key player will be sidelined for three to four weeks during pre-season, and will probably miss the beginning of the regular season as well, because of a right side sciatic nerve issue.

Okay, so here’s the latest on LeBron – he hasn’t joined the team for training camp yet, and he’s sat out the first couple of preseason games. Coach Redick shared that it’s due to some nerve irritation in his glute. We’re keeping an eye on it, of course, and hoping he’s back on the court soon, but right now it’s about letting him recover and avoid pushing things too quickly.

If the 40-year-old player takes the entire four weeks off, he’ll be unable to play in the Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21st.

Although LeBron James hasn’t spoken about his injury publicly, his coach, Redick, mentioned to reporters beforehand that James was recovering at his own pace, according to ESPN.

Fortunately, LeBron James—who has three children, Bronny (21), Bryce (18), and Zhuri (10), with his wife Savannah James—has a lot going on. He recently announced a new partnership with Hennessy VSOP, playfully referencing his famous 2010 announcement about leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers—originally made in an ESPN interview called *The Decision*—when he joined the Miami Heat.

Everyone expected the basketball star to retire, but LeBron recently said he’s not ready to stop playing just yet.

He admitted on the September 18th episode of *360 With Speedy* that his playing days are definitely winding down. He stated he has no intention of playing for another 23 years, or even another 10.

He added, “I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is, I’m not there yet.”

LeBron already has thoughts on how he’ll spend his time once he retires from basketball.

He mentioned he’d be open to acting again after retiring from his current career, saying he’d definitely consider any good scripts that came his way, as he told *The Hollywood Reporter* in June. He’s willing to see if the right projects could work with his schedule.

LeBron James, who starred in *Space Jam: A New Legacy*, explained that when it comes to his work in Hollywood, he’s primarily interested in the writing and acting aspects of projects.

He said he’d be happy to take on the role if it seemed like a good fit and he was confident he could do well.

For a look at what LeBron has already been working on outside of basketball, keep reading.

I’ve been following LeBron’s work since the very beginning, and it’s amazing to see how quickly his Family Foundation started making a difference. It really took off shortly after he was drafted into the NBA – right after graduating from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School here in Akron – and when he first joined the Cavaliers in 2003. It was clear even then that he was dedicated to giving back to our community.

For many years, the foundation has invested heavily in supporting the city’s young people who were struggling in school. They’ve helped these students stay on track for college and provided families with the tools they need to be involved in their children’s education.

In 2014, James told the Northeast Ohio Media Group that from the start of his foundation’s work, he aimed for lasting impact, not just short-term projects. He wanted to create something empowering and sustainable that would benefit people for generations, and he believes they’ve successfully achieved that goal.

At that point, over 800 students were on track to graduate thanks to the foundation’s I Promise program.

James launched the yearly King for Kids Bike-A-Thon in Akron to support local children’s programs. Through his foundation’s Wheels for Education initiative—which also provides backpacks and laptops to students beginning in third grade—kids received bicycles and the chance to ride with LeBron James and other NBA stars like Chris Paul, as seen in this 2009 photo.

Despite criticism of the televised announcement of his move to Miami, LeBron James donated $2.5 million earned from the 2010 special to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization he’s supported in communities nationwide.

In 2015, LeBron James’ foundation partnered with the University of Akron to create a four-year scholarship program. This program will cover tuition and standard school fees for all 1,100 students in the I Promise program who attend Akron public schools, representing an investment of approximately $42 million.

James explained at a Cedar Point event for children that supporting students is his primary motivation. He wants to help them achieve their goals and believes they’re capable of great things, especially knowing college is within reach, though he emphasized they’ll need to work hard to get there, according to ESPN.

The first class of scholarship recipients is on track to graduate in 2021.

James explained that this achievement is especially meaningful for him, growing up in a challenging urban environment. Many African-American children don’t often envision life beyond high school, lacking clear future prospects. It’s common to focus solely on graduating, as college often feels unattainable either due to financial hardship or a lack of family support.

Bringing the Cavaliers their first NBA Championship in 2016 definitely boosted spirits in the city.

In 2016, LeBron James and his close friend and business partner, Maverick Carter, donated $2.5 million to support the Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture when it opened on the National Mall.

James explained to USA Today that Muhammad Ali deeply influenced him as an athlete, not just because of his boxing success, but because of his principles and courage outside the sport. He said he thinks about Ali daily and believes he wouldn’t be where he is today without Ali’s inspiration and strong values.

The exhibit also received significant contributions from Michael Jordan, who donated $5 million, and Magic Johnson, who gave $1 million.

On December 8, 2014, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving wore “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirts, sent to them by Jarrett Jack of the Brooklyn Nets, to protest the death of Eric Garner. Garner, a 43-year-old man, had died after being placed in a chokehold by a New York City police officer. This act represented a significant moment for LeBron, as it signaled a turning point in his willingness to publicly and directly address issues of race and police brutality.

As a style observer, I noticed a really powerful trend popping up in the NBA a while back. Before a home game against the Cavaliers, Jack, along with teammates like Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams, and Alan Anderson, all wore “I Can’t Breathe” shirts during warm-ups. It quickly spread – over the next few days, I saw players like Derrick Rose and the legendary Kobe Bryant joining in and making a statement with the same shirt. It was a really moving example of athletes using their platform to raise awareness.

Before the game, Kyrie Irving spoke with reporters, emphasizing the importance of supporting the families affected by the recent tragedy. He explained that being in the city where it happened made it even more crucial for the team to show their support, particularly for this cause, which deeply resonated with him personally.

James mentioned he might wear the shirt during the game, calling it a possibility. When asked about the meaning behind it, he explained he didn’t have all the answers. He felt it was more about acknowledging the challenges society is facing and showing support for families affected by difficult situations. He emphasized the need for everyone to treat each other better, regardless of race, and wanted to direct attention and energy towards those families who truly deserve it.

LeBron James is popular with children around the world. In 2014, he spent time with young fans and their fathers at an event in Hong Kong.

In 2015, NBA stars James and Stephen Curry made a visit to the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in New York City. They were there as part of NBA FIT, a league-wide initiative focused on encouraging fans of all ages to prioritize both their physical and mental well-being.

In 2016, James publicly supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, giving a speech at a rally in Cleveland just before the election.

In July 2018, the LeBron James Family Fund and the Akron Public School District opened the I Promise School. This school is designed to provide students in grades 1 through 8 with a modern, high-quality education, along with important resources like healthcare and other essential services.

Although the school is publicly funded, a foundation donates over $1 million annually to support it. This money helps pay teacher salaries, keep class sizes small at 20 students or less, and provide valuable after-school programs, tutoring, and other resources for families.

The I Promise Network currently supports students through 11th grade, with plans to expand services to include 12th grade by the 2020-21 school year.

When schools closed nationwide due to COVID-19, the foundation kept the I Promise Family Resource Center open to provide essential services like healthcare, mental health support, food, and housing.

The school partnered with Smuckers and the Akron Food Bank to create and distribute care packages containing food, toothpaste, and toilet paper to all 1,443 students and their families. Starting in March, they also began hosting “Taco Tuesdays,” providing meal kits that could feed four to five people for each of the school’s 340 students.

In 2018, LeBron James received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award, recognizing his commitment to improving the lives of kids in his hometown and finishing off a successful year.

It’s deeply personal for me to help the children of Akron who are struggling, because I was once in their position. I’m incredibly proud and excited to build a school and provide the resources these students need to get a great education, improve their lives, and build a brighter future.

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2025-10-10 02:18