Lamar Odom Reflects on Brothel Incident and Kardashian Relationship

The former NBA star opens up about his past struggles with addiction and the lasting impact on his life.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:21pm

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An abstract close-up photograph featuring shattered glass and glittering shards in high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the fragility and trauma of Lamar Odom's personal life.The shattering personal experiences of former NBA star Lamar Odom are explored in a new Netflix documentary that delves into his history of addiction and recovery.Los Angeles Today

In a new Netflix documentary, Lamar Odom reflects on the 2015 incident at a Nevada brothel that left him hospitalized and the tumultuous relationship with ex-wife Khloé Kardashian. Odom, a recovering addict, says revisiting these traumatic events is difficult but hopes his story can help others struggling with addiction. He believes the brothel incident may have been a deliberate attack, though he did not overdose on cocaine as initially reported. Kardashian, who participated in the documentary, has not spoken to Odom since their awkward reunion on 'The Kardashians' in 2025.

Why it matters

Odom's story sheds light on the challenges of addiction recovery and the lasting impact of high-profile personal struggles. His candid reflections provide insight into the complex dynamics of his relationship with the Kardashian family and the role of mental health in professional sports.

The details

In 2015, Odom was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel, having suffered 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks. He spent nearly 3 months recovering at a Los Angeles hospital, with doctors initially unsure if he would ever walk or talk again. Odom insists he did not overdose on cocaine that day, and believes the incident may have been a deliberate attack, though he's unsure if someone 'wants to finish the job.' The documentary reveals that Odom's former Lakers teammate, the late Kobe Bryant, helped Khloé Kardashian make the difficult decision to perform a high-risk surgery that ultimately saved Odom's life.

  • On October 13, 2015, Odom was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel.
  • Odom spent close to 3 months recovering at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
  • Odom completed a 30-day stay in rehab in February 2026, following a DUI arrest the prior month.
  • Odom's bench trial for the DUI charge is scheduled for July 7, 2026.
  • Odom has been sober since January 28, 2026.

The players

Lamar Odom

A former NBA player who was married to Khloé Kardashian and has struggled with addiction. He is the subject of the new Netflix documentary 'Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom'.

Khloé Kardashian

Odom's ex-wife, who participated in the documentary and revealed details about Odom's medical crisis and her decision to proceed with a high-risk surgery that ultimately saved his life.

Kobe Bryant

Odom's former Lakers teammate, who helped Kardashian make the difficult decision to perform the high-risk surgery that saved Odom's life.

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What they’re saying

“I was telling my girlfriend on the way here, it's like swimming in a cesspool of trauma. And I'm trying to get out of it, but the story reels me back into that pool every time. But I just know I'm bigger than the situation, and I hope to help a lot of people by giving my testimony. Not just with the story, but just in life, that we can all overcome addiction.”

— Lamar Odom

“It was like a hit. Obviously they missed. I don't know if they want to finish the job.”

— Lamar Odom

“He's been more than a brother to me. It's the reason why I got him tattooed on my neck right here, so he can kind of stay in my ear and help guide me through this thing that we call life. My relationship with him was really special, and I kind of adapted and adopted the mamba mentality. And the mamba mentality is basically putting your best foot forward every day.”

— Lamar Odom

What’s next

Odom's bench trial for the DUI charge is scheduled for July 7, 2026.

The takeaway

Lamar Odom's candid reflections on his past struggles with addiction and the lasting impact of his high-profile personal life provide a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health support, especially for professional athletes. His story underscores the challenges of recovery and the need for empathy and understanding when it comes to those battling substance abuse issues.