Sportsbooks moved quickly on Oct. 21 after the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that LeBron James will miss the start of the 2025-26 season while treating sciatica on his right side.
Before the announcement, the Lakers were listed as 3-point favorites for Tuesday’s opener against the Golden State Warriors. Within hours, the spread swung 5.5 points to Warriors -2.5.
“I don’t think LeBron individually is worth that many points,” veteran Westgate SuperBook oddsmaker Jeff Sherman told ESPN, noting that a small initial spread magnified the move. “When you start getting through a pick ’em line, it just cuts through butter. [The movement] has more to do with the region the line was in.”
James, 40, is not expected back until mid-November, a timeline that could sideline him for roughly 12 games. Sherman trimmed the Lakers’ season win total accordingly, dropping it from 48.5 to 46.5. He reported some money on the over but kept the number unchanged heading into opening night.
Marketwide, the adjustment was minimal, and public support for Los Angeles remains strong. According to Sherman, more wagers have been placed on the Lakers to win the NBA title at the SuperBook than on any other team “by a wide margin.”
Source: ESPN
