THE OPENING TO LeBron James' historic 23rd season included a personal first for the future Hall of Famer, one that seriously dampened any celebration of his longevity, rather than enhancing it.
During a summer workout, James started to experience sciatica that affected his lower back and right side of his body. The pain sidelined him through Los Angeles Lakers training camp and well into the 2025-26 season.
"Never in my life, since I started playing the game of basketball, have I ever not started the season," James said on Nov. 17, the day before making his season debut in Salt Lake City after missing the first 14 games because of the injury. "It's been a mind test, but I'm built for it."
Beyond spoiling a preseason to prepare for the rigors of the season and a training camp to coalesce with Luka Doncic after he was acquired last year in a midseason trade, James' absence was a tangible example that basketball careers -- even his -- cannot last forever.
James' preseason health wasn't the only circumstance that made the start of the season unique.
In June, he had picked up the $52.6 million player option, rather than negotiate a new deal. In doing so, for the first time since joining the Lakers in 2018, he would be playing on an expiring contract.