LeBron James is ruled out for up to four weeks and will miss the start of the NBA season with sciatica, Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed.

LeBron had yet to play in the preseason. This will be the first time in his 23-year career he has missed a season opener.

Sciatica happens when irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression affect one or more nerves that run down your lower back and into your legs, according to Cleveland Clinic . About 40 percent of people in the U.S. experience some form of sciatica during their lifetime.

It won’t be an ideal start to LeBron James’ record 23rd NBA season after the 40-year-old superstar will miss opening night due to sciatica, according to multiple reports.

LeBron will be out to start the Lakers' season. Recovery from sciatica tends to take more than a couple of weeks.