LeBron James will miss the Lakers’ home opener due to a sciatic nerve issue

Lakers star LeBron James will miss the first game of the regular season as he continues to deal with a sciatica issue, the team announced Thursday afternoon. James will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks.

The 40-year-old enters an unprecedented 23rd NBA season. He has yet to practice with his teammates during training camp and did not play in the Lakers’ first two preseason games.

Before the team’s announcement, coach JJ Redick told reporters during practice on Thursday that he was “following his own schedule.”

Redick added: “You have to play the cards you’re dealt. It’s a shame, but that’s the reality. … Nobody spent any time with LeBron.” [James] “I wasn’t on the field with the team, but that’s the reality.”

While fellow star Luka Doncic has been slowly improving his condition after a busy summer that included playing for Slovenia in the EuroBasket tournament, Redick said he hopes Doncic will play in at least one pre-season game.

The Lakers have four more preseason games, the next one being Sunday against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.