Charles Barkley Criticizes LeBron James’ Injury, Cites Age Amid Lakers’ Early Season

Charles Barkley, the Hall of Fame NBA analyst, has publicly joked about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James' ongoing sciatica injury, attributing it to age rather than the medical diagnosis. On "The Dan Patrick Show," Barkley remarked that LeBron is simply "old," suggesting that back pain is a common ailment among older people, and criticized the medical terminology as a cover-up. Despite James missing the preseason and the start of the regular season, the Lakers have maintained a strong record, winning 5 of their first 7 games without him. Barkley also discussed the role of other Lakers players like Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic stepping up in James' absence but expressed skepticism about Reaves becoming a primary scorer. The commentary has sparked broader conversations about LeBron's longevity and the potential impact of age on his performance as he enters his 22nd NBA season at age 40. While Barkley's comments were made in a lighthearted manner, they underscore ongoing debates about James' durability and future in the league.