LeBron James Out vs Celtics: Injury Update, Lakers' Challenges & Austin Reaves' Rise | NBA News (2026)

LeBron James' Absence: A Tough Break for the Lakers

In a surprising turn of events, LeBron James, the legendary forward, will be sitting out the highly anticipated Lakers-Celtics rivalry game in Boston. This news comes just a night after James' remarkable assist sealed the Lakers' win against the Toronto Raptors.

But here's where it gets controversial... James' absence is due to sciatica and joint arthritis, a lingering issue from last season. With only six games played this season, the 40-year-old superstar has been battling injuries, and the team is feeling the pressure.

The Lakers are already missing key players like Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart, which puts even more responsibility on Austin Reaves' shoulders. Reaves, who has been on fire lately, averaging 41 points in the absence of Doncic, will need to step up even further.

And this is the part most people miss... James' absence also marks the end of an incredible streak. His 1,297-game run with double-digit points came to a close on Thursday, but the Lakers still managed to pull off a win thanks to James' assist and Reaves' stellar performance.

With the Lakers on a four-day Eastern Conference road trip, the pressure is on to maintain their winning streak. After Boston, they face Philadelphia on Monday.

So, what do you think? Is this a temporary setback for the Lakers, or a sign of bigger challenges ahead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

LeBron James Out vs Celtics: Injury Update, Lakers' Challenges & Austin Reaves' Rise | NBA News (2026)
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