LeBron James. Image via: NBA.com
James is 41 and about to start a 24th NBA season after signing with Philadelphia as a free agent this summer. The Sixers open the 2026-27 season on Oct. 20 against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where James is expected to make his official team debut. Sciatica sidelined the forward for the first 14 games last season with the Lakers. James ended up with 60 appearances. James arrives at the facility at 7:45 a.m. after a helicopter ride from New York, where the Sixers forward will live during the season. Mancias then leads the 41-year-old through stretches and activations.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that James has chronic arthritis in the left foot and a lower back that needs steady care.
Sources told the outlet the team pays “special attention” to both areas. Head coach Nick Nurse said at the start of camp that the team has talked about managing the workloads of James and Joel Embiid. LeBron James is reportedly dealing with chronic arthritis in the left foot and a lower back issue. Reports from camp describe a daily maintenance routine around both problem areas, handled by longtime trainer Mike Mancias. The back has the more recent history. The team intends to set a plan for back-to-backs. Philadelphia can spread the load. Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown, who arrived in an offseason trade with the Celtics, make up the rest of the core. James picked Philadelphia after reportedly weighing five teams. The first week of camp opened with Embiid, Brown, Maxey and James meeting as a foursome. They worked on two-man plays and on passing out of the post, since defenses are expected to trap all four. The new-look group was scheduled to play together for the first time in Monday’s preseason game against the Knicks.