When the Golden State Warriors travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the regular season opener on Oct. 21, the chances are slim they will see superstar LeBron James in the lineup.

James and the Lakers announced Thursday night that he has sciatica, which is described by the Cleveland Clinic as an irritation, inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve.

James has not played in the first two preseason games and has been held out of practice. Coach J.J. Redick has used the excuse that James had a nerve irritation in his glute.

James is expected to miss three to four weeks, but Redick said James was "on his own timeline."

Earlier this week, ESPN's Shams Charania reported James would miss the entire preseason, but had targeted an opening night return. It appears as though that timeline has disappeared and James will miss more time than originally anticipated.

This is James' 23rd NBA season, which is a record. When he finally does take the court he will break the tie he has with Vince Carter for the longest career in league history.

The Warriors-Lakers tilt is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. local time and will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.