Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James is not kicking off the 2025-26 NBA season on the court. Sidelined with an injury, James is expected to miss multiple weeks before returning to action. Unsurprisingly, the Lakers are already feeling the absence of their superstar.
The Lakers opened their regular season against the Golden State Warriors, falling 119-109. While Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves put on an impressive showing, James’s presence was clearly missed on the floor.
How Is JJ Redick Handling LeBron James’s Absence?
Despite hoping for a strong start to the season, the Lakers will most likely struggle until James returns. Many have labeled the team’s roster weak and have hesitated to place their faith in second-year head coach JJ Redick.
JJ Redick:
“It’s hard to forget about Lebron. The reality is when you’re focused on the group that you have, you gotta make that group work. I’ll be honest with you, I did have one moment in that first half when we had a few possessions we couldn’t score against the zone it’d be… pic.twitter.com/Q4Bs0QoZTg
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 22, 2025
After the loss, Redick addressed the media, speaking about James and the Lakers’ current situation. He admitted the team can’t play on without missing the 40-year-old superstar.
“It’s hard to forget about Lebron (James). The reality is when you’re focused on the group that you have, you gotta make that group work. I’ll be honest with you, I did have one moment in that first half when we had a few possessions we couldn’t score against the zone it’d be great to have Lebron just to throw it to in the high post,” Redick said.
However, fans and NBA analysts were not impressed with Redick’s comments. Many pointed out that Redick seemed unable to coach effectively, as Warriors head coach Steve Kerr used James’s absence to his team’s advantage.
Furthermore, many believe the Lakers will also feel the absence of Anthony Davis, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Dončić earlier this year. Despite the new addition of Deandre Ayton, it is hard to imagine he can match the level of play set by Davis. This also means James will need to build chemistry with Dončić, who is now the team’s new focus, unlike the established connection he had with Davis.
Does James’s Body Language Hint at a Troubled Future?
Sidelined with right-side sciatica, James might return in late October or November. There is no fixed timeline for his return, which casts further doubt on the four-time NBA champion’s status as a Laker.
Fans analyzed James’s attitude on Tuesday’s sidelines, referring to him as ‘disconnected’.
I’m not a body language doctor by profession and this is just one man’s observation: LeBron was disconnected all night, not interacting with the team, coaches, or what was taking place on the court all game. Don’t kill the messenger, just reporting what I saw.
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) October 22, 2025
“I’m not a body language doctor by profession and this is just one man’s observation: LeBron was disconnected all night, not interacting with the team, coaches, or what was taking place on the court all game. Don’t kill the messenger, just reporting what I saw,” the fan wrote.
Some agreed with the observation and were convinced it was not a good look for the veteran icon. The Lakers will next face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, Oct. 24.
