LeBron James, 41, Battling Chronic Arthritis Ahead of 24th NBA Season

LeBron James, 41, is entering his 24th NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers while managing physical struggles, including a reported battle with 'chronic arthritis' in his left foot, according to a new ESPN report. James also missed the first month of the previous season due to sciatica in his lower back.

James joined the 76ers in the offseason on a two-year veteran-minimum deal, reportedly aiming to contend for an NBA Championship. His commitment to playing at a high level is evident in his demanding daily routine. He begins his preparation before 8 a.m. each day at Sixers training camp, working with his longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, on stretching and activation exercises before practice commences at 11 a.m.

Despite living in New York City, nearly 100 miles from Philadelphia, James commutes daily via a 40-minute helicopter ride to attend practice. His new teammate, VJ Edgecombe, noted James's early arrival at Sixers media day, stating, "He was in there before everybody. As usual."

James acknowledges the nearing end of his career, stating, "I'm just looking at it every single day on how I can be the best version of myself for this franchise while I'm here." He added, "I can't speak into the future right now. I think that would be doing a disservice to myself. Just living in the moment, especially knowing that I am where I am in my career."

Reflecting on his past health issues, James discussed his battle with sciatica in November 2025, describing the pain as coming in waves and emphasizing the importance of mobility work and focused exercises. He shared, "If you ain't never had it, and people are making jokes about it, I pray you never get it. It's not fun."

James opted to leave the Los Angeles Lakers for Philadelphia, expressing his determination to achieve a championship in his final seasons. He told reporters, "I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round."