It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site in Start, LA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Start, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice.”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great!”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July,”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care”
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia and McKinsey for you attention to detail on multiple occasions!❤️”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and he had a stroke so he has limited mobility. They even go the extra mile and I'd like to mention Cynthia and Tracy for their outstanding service! It truly takes a hero to do what you guys do, as this is a very difficult job that requires amazing patience.”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to others”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in place. Thank you Always Best Care!”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice. I love them! A HUGE help for me!”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great! I would highly recommend this company.”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond for their clients”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can honestly say it's been an incredible experience. The support from the office staff is top-notch - they're always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with any issues that arise. The clients I've worked with have been wonderful, and I appreciate the care and attention the company puts into matching caregivers with clients who are a good fit. I highly recommend Always Best Care to any caregiver looking for a supportive, flexible, and rewarding work environment. Keep up the great work & thanks so much!”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with Always best for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it. My clients are so sweet The company is very family oriented They don't just care about the clients they also care about the workers. My daddy was in the hospital and ended up passing away the company allowed me to take off so I could be at the hospital with my daddy, and after he passed away they allowed me to be off rest of the week.”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes of elderly patients. Recently, I engaged their services to find a caregiver for my grandmother, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. Cyndi Williams from Always Best Care was instrumental throughout the process. Her dependability and understanding made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. From our initial consultation to the caregiver placement, Cyndi and the staff at Always best Care ensured that my grandmother's needs were prioritized, which greatly eased what could have been a challenging transition. Thanks to Always Best Care, my grandmother is not only well cared for but also genuinely happy with her caregiver. This has brought immense relief and peace of mind to our family, knowing that she is in capable hands. Overall, I highly recommend Always Best Care for their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to providing excellent elderly care services. They have truly made a positive difference in our lives during a time of significant adjustment. Claire Breslow”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They are very thorough, punctual, caring and helpful group. Shout out to Cynthia for going the extra mile to facilitate VA help for my step father. If your loved one is in need for in home care I highly recommend this company.”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home and gets busy doing whatever my mother needs her to do. She just takes it upon herself to do things that she sees that needs to be done. Angela has a great disposition. I can tell she loves what she does. Our family absolutely loves and appreciates Angela. Thank you to Always Best Care!!!!!”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it gets solved.”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These ladies quickly learned the routine that they like and take very good care of them. The office staff are so helpful and quick to find a replacement sitter if someone calls in sick. I highly recommended this agency for your loved ones”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Milford Wampold Memorial Park in Start, LA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar or visit Louisiana's Old State Capitol, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Start, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Start, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Start, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
For the first time this regular season, the LA Kings have a matchup that starts in the morning against the Winnipeg Jets on the road on Saturday.The Los Angeles Kings and head coach Jim Hiller were more back to business back to usual for team practice on the ice late this week. The Kings got a couple of days of practice in before the team travels north of the border this weekend up to Canada to face the Winnipeg Jets and star forward Kyle Connor for the first time this fall in the 2025-26 season at Canada Life Centre.After the ...
For the first time this regular season, the LA Kings have a matchup that starts in the morning against the Winnipeg Jets on the road on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Kings and head coach Jim Hiller were more back to business back to usual for team practice on the ice late this week. The Kings got a couple of days of practice in before the team travels north of the border this weekend up to Canada to face the Winnipeg Jets and star forward Kyle Connor for the first time this fall in the 2025-26 season at Canada Life Centre.
After the regular season's first two games, the Kings came out of back-to-back games early this week with two points and one win. The Kings and Adrian Kempe dropped the regular season opener on Tuesday night (Oct. 7) at Crypto Arena at home against the Colorado Avalanche.
Hiller and the Kings won their first victory of the regular season earlier this week in a thrilling 6-5 shootout over the Vegas Golden Knights on the road on Oct. 8.
The Kings are in the midst of a difficult road trip to open up the 2025-26 regular season for three straight games late this week. LA faces the Jets in the second contest in a three-game road trip that also features a matchup against the Minnesota Wild in the Twin Cities early next week.
Here's a look at the TV/streaming information, start time, and radio broadcast information for the matchup between the Kings and Jets at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB, on Oct. 11.
The matchup on the road for the Kings vs. Jets will be broadcast live on FanDuel Sports Network locally in Los Angeles on Saturday. This game will also be streamed live on ESPN+. The radio broadcast will be on the ESPN LA app.
Forwards
Andrei Kuzmenko – Anze Kopitar – Adrian KempeKevin Fiala – Quinton Byfield – Alex LaferriereTrevor Moore – Phillip Danault – Warren FoegeleJeff Malott – Alex Turcotte – Joel Armia*Samuel Helenius
Defensemen
Mikey Anderson – Drew DoughtyBrian Dumoulin – Brandt ClarkeJoel Edmundson – Cody Ceci*Jacob Moverare
Goalies
Darcy Kuemper
Kings: Darcy Kuemper
Jets: Connor Hellebuyck
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Planning to travel in California during the holiday season? Two sites have released their predictions ahead of the season to help with plans.The Old Farmer's Almanac released its prediction for the Thanksgiving holiday, while Accuweather released its forecast for the winter season.Weather across the U.S. will vary, especially with La Niña looming and potentially hitting the Pacific Coast and much of North America.What will the weather be like in California during the holidays?Winter will start on Monday, ...
Planning to travel in California during the holiday season? Two sites have released their predictions ahead of the season to help with plans.
The Old Farmer's Almanac released its prediction for the Thanksgiving holiday, while Accuweather released its forecast for the winter season.
Weather across the U.S. will vary, especially with La Niña looming and potentially hitting the Pacific Coast and much of North America.
Winter will start on Monday, Dec. 21, and last until March 20, 2026. Thanksgiving lands on the last Thursday of November every year, with this year being the 27th.
Starting the holiday season off with Thanksgiving, the Old Farmer's Almanac has forecasted the Pacific Southwest to be "turning colder with showers scattered through the week."
While the almanac doesn't believe rain will dominate the week, it will at least make roads wet, making errands and commutes a little trickier.
A graphic on the Old Farmer's Almanac website indicates that showers throughout the Pacific Coast will be consistent.
Accuweather's winter prediction explains more about La Niña's effect on the Pacific Ocean and how it can lead to a dry winter.
La Niña is a climate phenomenon characterized by cooler water near the equator in the Pacific Ocean for an average of at least three months. Its counterpart, El Niño, is characterized by warmer water in the region.
Although AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist, Paul Pastelok, does say that the climate phenomenon could fail to develop, weather patterns could mimic that of La Niña.
The warmer weather would mean a drier and warmer winter for California and the southwest, where wildfires are expected.
The Northwest and northern Rockies could experience some storms with snowpack in the area, along with the Cascades and parts of the northern Sierra, Accuweather reported.
January is the most likely time for rainfall to hit the southwest during the winter, with warm and dry conditions expected to return in February.
La Niña is a part of a natural climate cycle officially known as El Niño-Southern Oscillation, called ENSO by scientists. The cycle swings between warmer and cooler seawater in a region along the equator in the tropical Pacific. La Niña is marked by cooler-than-average ocean water in the region.
It is one of the main drivers of weather in the United States, especially during the late fall, winter and early spring. It's the opposite of the more well-known El Niño, which occurs when Pacific Ocean water is at least 0.9 degrees warmer than average for three months.
The intermediate stage is known as ENSO-Neutral, when neither La Niña nor El Niño are present.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at , 805-437-0224 or on Instagram and X.
The Los Angeles Lakers' superstar forward, LeBron James, will miss the next 3-4 weeks with sciatica on his right side.The 40-year-old supertar will miss the Lakers' season opener on Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors and possibly a lot more. James will be re-evaluated in roughly a month.James has not participated in training camp and has missed the Lakers' first two preseason games.Prior to the news dropping, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said James is "on his own timeline." There was a good chance that Ja...
The Los Angeles Lakers' superstar forward, LeBron James, will miss the next 3-4 weeks with sciatica on his right side.
The 40-year-old supertar will miss the Lakers' season opener on Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors and possibly a lot more. James will be re-evaluated in roughly a month.
James has not participated in training camp and has missed the Lakers' first two preseason games.
Prior to the news dropping, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said James is "on his own timeline." There was a good chance that James would miss the entire preseason, but there was optimism that he would suit up for the season opener.
However, that is now out the window, and he could miss the Lakers' first couple weeks of the season. That is, if all goes well.
James' absence is a massive blow to start the season, as they will be without their second-best player. The 21-time All-Star has been able to stay healthy for at least most of his Lakers career, but this injury appears to be too much for the future Hall of Famer to handle.
The Lakers have several options to replace James in the starting lineup. LA added two pieces this offseason to bolster their backcourt and frontcourt in Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. Either two could fill that void in the starting lineup; it just depends on how Redick and his staff feel about it.
The most obvious answer to replace James is Rui Hachimura. Hachimura has been a common fixture in the Lakers' starting lineup, especially last season.
A few days ago, Hachimura was asked about being in the starting lineup, and he shared his honest thoughts.
“I mean, it’s coach’s decision,” Hachimura said. “It’s not my decision. It’s not really about who’s starting and not. It’s just the minutes and who can be on the court longer. I think it’s — for me — just whatever the team needs me to do, but we’vebeen building the chemistry that I’ve been in the starting five for two, three years. So whatever they decide I have to do, it’s just a matter of the chemistry, how we can build and we can be on the court together and how we can give an impact.”
The Lakers will now rely heavily on Luka Doncic to carry the load at the start of the season, alongside Austin Reaves.
Watching baseball is typically a weekend or weeknight indulgence — a welcome reprieve after the long, grinding hours of a workday. You clock out, hustle home in time for the first pitch, and then, for a few fleeting hours, lose yourself in the world’s greatest dramas. The cheers, jeers, camaraderie and rivalries become your nightcap.For many fans, that refuge rarely collides with the responsibilities of a 9-to-5.But Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Philli...
Watching baseball is typically a weekend or weeknight indulgence — a welcome reprieve after the long, grinding hours of a workday. You clock out, hustle home in time for the first pitch, and then, for a few fleeting hours, lose yourself in the world’s greatest dramas. The cheers, jeers, camaraderie and rivalries become your nightcap.
For many fans, that refuge rarely collides with the responsibilities of a 9-to-5.
But Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies is set to begin at 3:08 p.m. local time in Southern California.
That means many Dodgers fans face a choice today: Playoff baseball or work.
“If a game is at 6 p.m., you can skip out an hour early, go in earlier to end your day earlier; there are options,” said Taylor Matthews, an operations manager for an audio sales company who also runs a Dodgers fan account on X. “A game at 3 p.m. really requires you to be out of work by 12 and on your way to the stadium by 1 just to be in your seat by first pitch. So the time-off request becomes a bit heavier than just ‘I need an hour off.'”
Fans in Philadelphia — hoping MVP candidate Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies can stave off elimination and force a Game 5 back home in the City of Brotherly Love — will have a more favorable TV window, with first pitch set for 6:08 p.m. ET on TNT and its family of networks.
They’ll get their football, too.
The Philadelphia Eagles face the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., in a “Thursday Night Football” matchup. Anytime Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, last season’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year, returns to face his former team, the eyes follow. Bad blood breeds drama — and drama makes for must-watch TV.
The Eagles game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET, which would’ve conflicted with a later West Coast start for the Phillies. The staggered start times creates less competition for the MLB in TV viewing in the Philadelphia market. But for many Dodgers fans, this concession to East Coast audiences feels more like an inconvenience.
Those in Los Angeles might be stuck in afternoon traffic — or still at their desks at work — when the scene unfolds: Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez ascending the mound, the afternoon sun at his back, to face NL MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani in the leadoff spot. Ohtani hoping to end Philadelphia’s season; Sánchez pitching so the Phillies can survive another day.
Fans hoping to watch Game 4 at Dodger Stadium could potentially miss all the drama.
“It feels like the time is more about TV viewership,” Matthews said. “Even then, how many people are gonna sit down and watch the game (at work) at 3 p.m. in L.A.? It’s a decision with no feel for the market or the games, and that’s frustrating.”
The Dodgers’ first two playoff home games this season — a 2-0 Wild Card sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 — both had 6 p.m. PT starts.
Yes, both were weekday games, coming on a Tuesday and Wednesday.
But the NFL doesn’t play on those days.
“If the Eagles weren’t playing tonight, then the Phillies game probably would have started at 9:08 Eastern like (Game 3),” said Grace Del Pizzo, a multimedia journalist at the Philadelphia sports site OnPattison.com. “I don’t think MLB wants the Phillies to go head-to-head against the Eagles for the majority of that game. They know they wouldn’t win that battle.”
So fans like Matthews are stuck facing tough choices and even tougher potential conversations with their managers: To finish the day’s work, or jet early to support their Dodgers in a closeout game.
Having Jayden Daniels on the field Sunday signifies more than just a return to the football field for the Washington Commanders quarterback. Given he's able to go against the Los Angeles Chargers, it will also be the first time in his NFL career that Daniels will take the field in his home state of California.Despite maintaining he's from the "Inland Empire" rather than being a "Los Angeles guy," Daniels shared what a homecoming means to him, regardless of whether he's able to play."It would mean the wo...
Having Jayden Daniels on the field Sunday signifies more than just a return to the football field for the Washington Commanders quarterback. Given he's able to go against the Los Angeles Chargers, it will also be the first time in his NFL career that Daniels will take the field in his home state of California.
Despite maintaining he's from the "Inland Empire" rather than being a "Los Angeles guy," Daniels shared what a homecoming means to him, regardless of whether he's able to play.
"It would mean the world," Daniels said during his Wednesday press conference. "I plan on having a lot of people attend the game and it's my hometown, so to be able to play back in my hometown as a pro, it would mean everything."
As much as the return to the West Coast matters to him, Daniels' homecoming signifies just as much to his hometown of San Bernardino and his alma mater, Cajon High School. Following Daniels' 2023 Heisman Trophy win, Cajon renamed its football stadium in his honor to "Jayden Daniels Stadium," as well as San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran presenting Daniels with a key to the city and declaring January 20 "Jayden Daniels Day" in the city.
Just a two-hour car ride from SoFi Stadium, Daniels played football all four years for the Cajon Cowboys and maintains one of the best high school football careers in the California Interscholastic Federation. He graduated with 14,007 passing yards, 3,645 rushing yards, 211 touchdowns, leading the Cowboys to two Citrus Belt League championships in 2017 and a 44-10 record from 2015-2019. Daniels' overall passing yards and touchdowns set California Interscholastic Federation records.
Forty minutes southwest of Cajon, linebacker Bobby Wagner attended school at Colony High School in Ontario, California. Despite graduating when Daniels was just 7 years old, the two initially bonded over their shared area code.
"I think that's kind of the ice breaker," Daniels said. "You know, we're both from the same area, we both have the same area code on our phone -- the 909. So that was kind of the ice breaker and then we just had to figure out the little things from there."
"Us being from the same area, the Inland Empire, and knowing what he went through to get to where he's at and his humility, it's easy to just click here," Wagner added.
The realization of their shared "Inland Empire" -- the metropolitan region of Southern California east of Los Angeles -- upbringing kick-started a bond between the 13-year veteran and now-sophomore player. Despite the occasional banter and ridicule between the two, Daniels often relies on Wagner for advice and knowledge beyond the football field. The close bond is perpetuated by the locker room, in which Daniels' and Wagner's lockers are catty-corner to each other.
Now in Year 14 -- and having played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 -- the feeling of playing in California still doesn't get old for Wagner. He's looking forward to returning to the state for the first time since Week 11 of the 2023 season as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
"Any time I can play at home in California is fun," Wagner said. "My mom is buried there so it's always cool."
No matter what happens Sunday, both Wagner and Daniels are sure to make their home state proud. They'll both be playing in front of numerous family and friends, making a road trip feel a little more like home.
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