LeBron James Misses 157th Game Since 2018–19 As Sixers Manage His Back

LeBron James missed Philadelphia’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, Oct. 24, for low-back and sciatica management, his first absence of the 2026–27 season.

That brings his total to 157 missed regular-season games since 2018–19, his first year with the Los Angeles Lakers. The figure covers every reason for an absence, including injuries, rather than load management alone.

Coach Nick Nurse said before Saturday’s game that James had not reported back pain or discomfort, according to The Associated Press. Philadelphia won 127–116 without him.

James, 41, had games designated for load management at age 34. The Lakers’ media guide lists three such absences during 2018–19, on Feb. 2, March 15 and March 27, alongside 24 games missed because of a groin strain or soreness.

He missed 156 of the Lakers’ 635 regular-season games across eight seasons, appearing in 479. The calculation uses the Lakers’ actual shortened schedules in 2019–20 and 2020–21.

His lowest absence total in that stretch was four games in 2019–20. He missed 22 last season, playing 60 of 82 games before joining Philadelphia. Saturday’s game opened the Sixers’ weekend back-to-back, with James expected to return against Detroit on Sunday.