Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ absence was felt by his head coach in Tuesday’s season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Speaking to reporters after the 119-109 defeat (starts at 2:40 mark), JJ Redick said he did allow himself one moment in the first half when the Warriors’ zone defense was stopping the Lakers that he thought “it would be great to have LeBron” in the high post.

Redick did emphasize that he was “focused on the the group” they had out there and trying to make that work.

The Lakers didn’t get a lot of production outside of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. They combined for 69 points, 18 assists and 17 rebounds. Deandre Ayton was the only other player to score in double figures, putting up 10 points in 34 minutes.

James’ health was a major storyline going into the 2025-26 season, as head coach Redick told reporters he was dealing with nerve irritation in his glute that forced him to miss practice time.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Oct. 9 that James was expected to miss three-to-four weeks because of sciatica on his right side.

Throw in the reality James turns 41 years old in December, and any questions about his health are going to raise concern even if he has displayed incredible longevity and durability during his career.

While the Lakers have Dončić to carry the offense while James is sidelined, it is still difficult to envision them realistically competing in the daunting Western Conference if they both aren’t healthy and playing at their best.

Tuesday’s game was representative of the struggles that Redick and his staff will have to figure out until James returns. Their offense should be better going forward because Dončić isn’t going to shoot 2-of-10 from three-point range on most nights.

Reaves did his job as the primary No. 2 option to Dončić, but the floor for this Lakers team will be determined by how well the role players fare. They struggled to get anything going in a tough matchup against a Warriors team they will be jockeying with for position all season in a deep Western Conference.