Lakers Injury Report: LeBron James' Status For Preseason Debut Determined

Will The King suit up in Palm Desert on Friday?

Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

On the cusp of his record-tying 22nd NBA season, 20-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers combo forward LeBron James' status for his team's Friday night preseason debut, against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Palm Desert, has been determined.

Sources inform Dave McMenamin of ESPN that the four-time league MVP, currently the league's oldest active player at age 39, will not suit up for what is, after all, a meaningless exhibition matchup.

McMenamin adds that James' 19-year-old son, former USC Trojans reserve point guard Bronny James, could make his Lakers debut on Friday, however, as first-year head coach JJ Redick explores various lineup options and gives Exhibit 10 signings and younger players bonus run.

The elder James is set to be rested Friday, but should suit up for Los Angeles on Sunday, per McMenamin. The team will still be "hosting" a special "home" game, at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert against the revamped Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is expected to start Tyus Jones at the point this season. The veteran was inked to a stunningly good minimum contract this summer when the market dried up, a total steal. Jones starting will move Devin Booker to small forward. Preseason games often are played in unfamiliar arenas to allow fans in those markets the chance to check out some technical NBA action. And Los Angeles is close enough to Palm Desert to technically claim the matchup as a home contest.

James and fellow Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis may have had short NBA springs (the Lakers were eliminated in five games by the Denver Nuggets), but they enjoyed extended basketball summers nevertheless. The dynamic duo headed to Paris, where they played in their first Olympics since 2012. Both were crucial contributors (James was a permanent starter, and earned tournament MVP honors) for Team USA's fifth consecutive gold medal title. Davis is expected to play this weekend, and as of press time had not been ruled out for Friday's contest. Will Redick rest one All-Star per game, anf thus sit Davis Sunday against the far less intimidating Suns frontcourt? Time will tell.

It's unclear who will start in James' stead.

Last year, James suited up for 71 contests, his most ever with Los Angeles for a season. He averaged a stunning 25.7 points on .540/.410/.750 shooting splits, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks a game. Not too shabby for a guy who's just a few months younger than his head coach.

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