LeBron James reveals sweet vice he sacrificed to start Lakers season

LeBron James’ start to the Lakers’ season was not sweet — in more ways than one.

The Los Angeles superstar revealed on this week’s episode of “Mind the Game” that while he was out for the Lakers’ first 14 games of 2025 while dealing with sciatica, he gave up eating his beloved chocolate chip cookies.

“I wasn’t playing obviously as the season started,” he told Steve Nash on the show. “So I needed to give up something. I gotta sacrifice something. And I actually did two things that I very love. And that is drinking wine and my chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I completely took it out.”

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James’ love for the classic cookies is well documented — just last year, he said his infatuation with the dessert actually caused some strife between he and Pat Riley when he was a member of the Heat.

And, when he told Nash about the sugar abstinence, it wasn’t hard to see just how difficult it was for the 41-year-old to give up.

James said he initially implemented the cookie and alcohol ban for November, as he tried to get his body in top shape for its return from his back ailment.

He added that he decided to continue it all the way through December as well.

“I kept going,” James said. “I didn’t have my first drink and my first piece of dessert until New Year’s. New Year’s Day. So I ended up going basically two months.”

James initially said giving up the cookies was the hardest, though he went on to say losing wine wasn’t a thrill either.

“Not playing, being a little stressed, I maybe wanted a glass here. A glass there,” James said. “But it was good to give my body a break.”

James made his season debut for the Lakers on Nov. 18, and he went on to play in 36 total games for the Lakers befpre this weekend’s All-Star break.

He averaged 22 points, 7.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds per contest, and earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star nod.