James is set to miss the Lakers' opening game of the season against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night due to sciatica. His three-to-four week timeline for a return means that his quest for a fifth NBA title will begin on the shoulders of Luka Doncic.

Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Dončić downplayed the severity of a groin injury he received treatment for following L.A.'s 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

The Lakers are expected to play the first month without F LeBron James, who has a condition in his lower back called sciatica.