“The King” LeBron James, star of the Los Angeles Lakers, will be sidelined for three to four weeks due to sciatica, delivering a tough blow to his team on the eve of the season opener, according to multiple American media outlets on Thursday.

The diagnosis was made on the right side of his body following team practices in which James did not fully participate.

James (40 years old) had missed the team’s first two preseason games due to what his coach, J.J. Redick, described as “nerve irritation in the glutes.”

Sciatica is defined as pain or numbness that runs along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back down to the leg.

The club revealed that James will undergo a re-evaluation after three to four weeks, with updates to be announced then.

Redick noted that James and his Slovenian teammate, Luka Dončić, are following a modified and individualized training program, without participating in group practices.

The Lakers will start their season facing the Golden State Warriors on October 21.

ESPN reported that James will miss all preseason games but did not rule out his participation in the season opener.

James, a four-time league champion and the all-time leading scorer, expressed last month during media day his excitement to become the first player in league history to play in his 23rd season.