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The NBA preseason is wrapping up, but several teams are already dealing with major injury concerns to key players, including LeBron James, Paul George, Jaden Ivey, and Jeremy Sochan, just days before the 2025–26 campaign tips off.
LeBron James is targeting a mid-November return after being sidelined with sciatica, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Lakers announced on October 9 that James would be out three to four weeks, but Charania reported that the 40-year-old will take a “patient approach” to his recovery.
Reports indicated James was dealing with “nerve irritation in his glute” and had planned to ramp up for the season opener on October 21 against the Golden State Warriors. Instead, that timeline was pushed back, meaning the four-time MVP will miss the opening game of his 23-year career. “If James is indeed out until mid-November, it’s possible he would miss the first 10–15 games of the season,” per CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno.
In Detroit, Jaden Ivey underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be re-evaluated in a month, NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin reported. The Pistons confirmed the procedure was “unrelated to the fibula injury suffered last season.” Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Ivey’s discomfort “progressively got worse over the course of training camp, until the medical team decided a procedure was needed.”
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is also expected to miss opening night, per ESPN. Sources told Charania that George is “making significant progress but still has checkmarks to hit before he plays in a regular-season game.” The nine-time All-Star had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July after playing just 41 games last year.
Meanwhile in San Antonio, Jeremy Sochan will miss the Spurs’ opener with a sprained left wrist. He was injured “during a 5-on-5 drill as he neared a return from a strained calf,” ESPN reported.
With so many stars sidelined before tip-off, the opening weeks of the NBA season will test team depth and early chemistry across the league.
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