LeBron James, 41, is battling ‘chronic arthritis’: Surprise new report details 76ers superstar’s latest struggles
LeBron James is entering the 24th season in the NBA but is battling physical struggles as he reaches the end of his astonishing career.
James is entering a new, final chapter of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
The superstar opted to join a team he believes can be an NBA Championship contender and took a two-year veteran-minimum deal with just $8 million in total.
But James, now 41, faces the challenge of staying healthy enough to contribute, with a shock new ESPN report claiming he is battling ‘chronic arthritis’ in his left foot.
James also missed the first month of last season due to problems with sciatica in his lower back.
He is now beginning his daily routine at Sixers training camp before 8am each morning, meeting his longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, to stretch and activate his body before each day of practice, which begins at 11am.
LeBron James, 41, is facing physical pain in his bid to keep playing in the NBA with the 76ers
James has been spending hours getting physically read for practice each day in Philadelphia
His new teammate, VJ Edgecombe, noted at the recent Sixers media day: ‘He was in there before everybody. As usual.’
James is living in New York City, nearly 100 miles away from his new team, and taking a 40-minute helicopter to work each day.
He is still pushing himself to the limit to try and achieve a fairytale ending to his career, telling reporters: ‘I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round.’
But he knows that his time in the league is nearing an end over two decades after he was drafted as a high school phenomenon.
Asked at media day about retirement looming, James continued: ‘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.
‘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.
‘Me trying to focus on what the future looks like would be like, I wouldn’t be giving myself grace. I’m more in the present now, understanding that I’m in Year 24.
‘It won’t be another Year-plus 24, you know what I’m saying? It’s just like being in the moment and just seeing what happens.’
James has been in practice with his new 76ers teammates ahead of the upcoming season
James is working hard to by physically prepared for his 24th season in the NBA
In November 2025, he discussed his battle with sciatica in his lower back and outlined how the pain came in waves but he utilized mobility work and focused exercises to improve his condition.
He said ‘If you ain’t never had it, and people are making jokes about it, I pray you never get it.’ It’s not fun.
‘You wake up one day and hope that when you step down out of the bed, you don’t feel it… You go to bed at night, and you hope that when you get into bed, you don’t feel it.’