LeBron James missed the Lakers’ first day of training camp with what head coach JJ Redick described as “nerve irritation in the glute.” This glute injury required the 40-year-old star sat out live drills, with both the Lakers’ medical team and James’ camp agreeing on a cautious ramp-up plan. Redick told reporters the team would be “overly cautious” and that it would be “a little bit longer of a ramp-up leading into Opening Night.
Chemistry Goals Hit a Speed Bump
That cautious approach makes sense for the league’s oldest active player, but it’s a setback for a team that spent the summer stressing the importance of a full training camp to build chemistry with Luka Doncic now at the center of the franchise.
The Lakers had targeted training camp as the first opportunity to acclimate their two best players with the rest of the team and allow Coach Redick to implement his vision for their play style. With James sidelined early, that duo loses valuable reps running pick-and-roll actions, adjusting timing on cuts, and sharpening defensive rotations at game speed.
In a tightly packed Western Conference, even a slow two-week start can ripple through playoff seeding — which is why the timing of this minor injury still matters.
Silver Lining: LeBron’s Unmatched Experience
The good news for Los Angeles: it’s Lebron. Nobody doubts LeBron’s basketball IQ or his dedication to his health.
James is entering his 23rd NBA season as the league’s longest-tenured active player and is widely regarded as one of basketball’s highest-IQ floor leaders.
With that much experience under his belt, there’s nothing Lebron hasn’t seen on the basketball court. Whatever schemes JJ Redick decides to throw at him, he’ll be ready to execute.
Beyond his mind for the game, he’s also known for his extraordinary physical tools — size, strength, and agility — and for investing millions annually in recovery, nutrition, and offseason conditioning. That discipline has enabled him to maintain an All-NBA level well into his 40s, outlasting every peer from his draft class.
All of that means this setback is mainly about lost on-court chemistry with Luka, not comprehension of the playbook — and if anyone can miss early reps yet still deliver once the season begins, it’s James.
Medical Context: Glute Nerve Irritation
When the Lakers say LeBron has “nerve irritation in the glute,” it could refer to a variety of ailments. But usually it refers to a muscle in the hip area — often the piriformis — pressing or rubbing against the large sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down the leg. This can cause soreness or a sharp twinge in the back of the hip, especially during quick movements or long strides.
Sports-medicine guides, such as those from the Cleveland Clinic, explain that these cases are typically managed with rest, stretching, and a gradual return to activity, rather than surgery. By easing off in camp, the Lakers hope to calm the irritation now so it doesn’t linger or flare up later in the season.
Next Steps in Training Camp
Redick has not provided a timetable beyond saying the goal is for LeBron to be ready for the regular-season opener later this month. Still, it’s unlikely Lebron will suit up for any preseason games, considering how little he’s played in them in recent years, even under healthier conditions. However, James was present on the first day of camp and still participated to some degree, even if there wasn’t much on-court activity. He’ll likely remain a vocal leader throughout this process.
In the meantime, the coaching staff will keep working on Luka’s integration with the rest of the roster — including newcomers DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and newly signed two-way guard Nick Smith Jr.
Key Takeaways
- The Lakers’ plan for a full-strength camp to accelerate Luka-LeBron chemistry is temporarily on hold until James’ glute irritation settles.
- The risk: fewer joint reps could delay early-season rhythm.
- The benefit: reduced chance of setbacks for a 23-year veteran who’s critical to a deep playoff run.
- Expect a slow ramp-up — not a lost season.
This isn’t the end of the world. It’s definitely frustrating because we all want to get things rolling as soon as possible. But it’s better to exercise caution.
