The NBA preseason is coming to an end, but just days before the 2025-26 season is set to begin, several teams are already dealing with significant injuries to key players, including LeBron James, Paul George, Jaden Ivey and Jeremy Souch.
LeBron James is out with sciatica and is aiming to return in mid-November, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Lakers announced on Oct. 9 that James would miss three to four weeks, but Charania reported that the 40-year-old James would take a “patient approach” to his recovery.
There are reports that James is dealing with “nerve irritation” in his hip and plans to regain strength for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. Instead, that schedule was pushed back, meaning the four-time MVP will miss the first game of his 23-year career. “If James does miss until mid-November, he could miss the first 10-15 games of the season,” CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno said.
Jaden Ivey underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Detroit and will be reevaluated in a month, NBC Sports' Kurt Herring reports. The Pistons confirmed the surgery was “not related to the fibula injury sustained last season.” Coach JB Bickerstaff said Ivey's discomfort “progressively worsened during training camp until the medical team determined surgery was needed.”
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is also expected to miss opening night, according to ESPN. Sources told Charania that George “is making significant progress but still has work to do before participating in the regular season.” The nine-time All-Star underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July after playing in just 41 games last year.
Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Jeremy Sorchamp will miss the Spurs' opener with a sprained left wrist. According to ESPN, he “was injured during a 5-on-5 practice while recovering from a strained calf.”
With so many stars out heading into tipoff, the first few weeks of the NBA season will test team depth and early chemistry across the league.
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