Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Lakers reported to training camp without LeBron James to start their 2025-26 campaign.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James is dealing with nerve irritation in his glute.
However, James was highlighted on Kai Cenat’s livestream on Tuesday evening, broadcasting to an audience of millions online.
Cenat reached one million live viewers during the broadcast, setting a record for one of the most popular streamers in the United States.
But when the stream went outside to the basketball court, James revealed the truth about his injury and absence from practice in Los Angeles.
“Don’t be trying to have me play for real,” James told the crew on their way onto the court. “If my coach see this then I’m gonna get in trouble. You know I’m on the injured reserve right now.”
The good news for Lakers fans? James looked good on the court with streamers.
While Lakers head coach JJ Redick probably would have preferred his superstar to be in uniform with the team, there’s not much that James has left to prove.
He’s the NBA’s all-time leading scorer as a pass-first player. Every time he touches the court, even in his 40s, he’s a threat to put up a triple-double. Sure, defensively, James is not the player he once was, but the tandem of No. 23 and Luka Dončić is enough to make the Lakers a serious force in the West.
Entering his 23rd season in the league, there’s no telling how much longer James has in the NBA. This offseason was a strange one, as James opted into his player option to return to the Lakers. Despite this, the Lakers made things abundantly clear that they are focused on building for the future with Dončić.
James offered very little clarity during the Lakers’ media day about his future in Los Angeles or the NBA. While he explained that he is not focused on playing with his youngest son, Bryce, who will be draft eligible next season, he also did not commit to this upcoming campaign as a farewell tour.
In all likelihood, James will play out this season with the Lakers and then identify the best location for a farewell tour next season.
If hanging out on a livestream with Cenat is what will make James feel young again, basketball fans should be all for it. While the league is in great hands because of talented young stars, there will be a massive void whenever James decides to retire.
Unfortunately for Redick, that might mean some more days off for the most talented player of this generation. He’s likely fine with that, though. He should understand that when the lights are the brightest, James will be ready to play.
