The Lakers will be without one superstar as LeBron James sits out the early weeks of the season with a back injury, but Los Angeles still has a stud to lean on.

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off with an opening doubleheader featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers are set to open their season without star LeBron James, who, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, won’t play until mid-November due to sciatica.