The Los Angeles Lakers will be missing three players on opening night as they kick off a new season with Luka Doncic at the helm of the team.
For the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors, forwards Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, and LeBron James are out.
Kleber will miss at least two weeks of action due to an oblique strain. The team will re-evaluate him in two weeks to see if he is ready to play.
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Thiero — the Lakers’ early second-round draft pick — managed to practice on Sunday, though he was limited. He will also be evaluated later as he recovers from a persistent knee injury that has affected him throughout training camp and the preseason buildup.
Finally, LeBron James’ injury has been well-documented. Throughout the offseason, he dealt with a nerve issue that kept him from getting into playing shape.
Entering his 23rd season, James has considerable wear on his body and needs a specific recovery and workout plan to prepare. The nerve issue must improve for him to start preparing, delaying his on-court debut this year.
Sciatica, James’ specific injury, will keep him out until late October or early November, when he will be re-evaluated.
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Lakers insider Dave McMenamin explained the nature of the injury in a story on ESPN.
“Sciatica describes the symptoms of irritation, inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve, according to ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell,” McMenamin wrote.
“The nerve originates from a cluster of nerve roots in the lumbar (lower) spine and travels through the gluteal muscles and the hamstrings before branching into other smaller nerves in the lower leg and foot.
“Symptoms can range from pain that can be sharp or burning to numbness and tingling or pins and needles. Resolution time varies widely and depends on the source of the problem.”
The Lakers will still have two of their three key players for the game against the Warriors — Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Both of those guards should help generate enough offense to keep the team competitive, while the defensive intensity should increase without the aging James on the court.
Los Angeles should hold their own until James comes back, but the team will undoubtedly miss his consistent production, night in and night out.
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
