After a happening offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to tip off their preseason schedule against the Phoenix Suns, offering the first look at the team since training camp began. All eyes are on the team’s veteran LeBron James as he prepares for a record-breaking 23rd season in the league after a bit of coldness between the franchise and the star. The Lakers begin preseason against the Suns on October 3, and the matchup is expected to be an early look at how LeBron meshes with new pieces around Luka Doncic.

LeBron James has been managing a physical issue early in camp, which has limited his participation. Head coach JJ Redick has been upfront about the team’s deliberate approach with the 40-year-old superstar. “It’s probably a little bit longer of a ramp-up leading into opening night for him,” Redick stated, acknowledging the unique challenge of preparing a player for a 23rd season. This careful management strategy immediately raised questions about his preseason debut.

Is LeBron James playing in Lakers vs Suns?

LeBron James will not play in the Lakers’ preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns. The team has officially ruled him out due to nerve irritation in his glute. This decision was confirmed by Coach Redick ahead of the game, emphasizing a cautious strategy for the veteran. The injury is considered minor, but the medical and coaching staff are not taking any unnecessary risks even before the regular season kicks off.

The focus is entirely on the long season ahead, with the immediate goal being James’ full fitness for the regular season opener on October 21st. If team insiders are considered, the Lakers believe rest and therapy are the best course of action for this type of irritation. This cautious approach is standard for veteran stars during the preseason, where results are far less important than player health.

James’ absence from this first game does not necessarily mean he will miss the entire preseason schedule. His status will be reevaluated on a game-by-game basis. However, it highlights the reality of managing a 40-year-old body with 22 years of professional wear and tear, even for an athlete as renowned for his durability as James.

Lakers injury report and roster updates for Friday’s Game

The Lakers will be without four other players alongside LeBron James for the Suns game. New acquisition Marcus Smart is sidelined with Achilles tendinopathy, an injury that has kept him out of training camp sessions. The team is optimistic about his return to practice next week as they manage the condition. His absence is a setback for building early defensive chemistry.

Forward Maxi Kleber is also out with a quad injury. The team is calling it a minor issue and is holding him out for a few days as a precaution. Rookie Adou Thiero completes the list, still working his way back from a knee problem that has bothered him since before Summer League.

All four players are officially listed as day-to-day. Their simultaneous absences will force Coach Redick to experiment with different lineups and give more minutes to depth players. This presents an opportunity for others to step up, but it is far from the ideal scenario for a team looking to build cohesion from day one.

Championship expectations and season outlook without key players

Despite the preseason injury report, the Lakers hold the sixth-best odds to win the NBA championship this season. The combination of LeBron James and Luka Doncic creates a high ceiling for the team, provided both stars are healthy for the bulk of the regular season and playoffs. Their partnership, which showed promising flashes last year, is the central pillar of the team’s title hopes.

The team’s projected starting five of Doncic, Austin Reaves, James, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton is formidable on paper. The supporting cast, including the currently injured Marcus Smart, is designed to provide the necessary defense and shooting. The early injuries test this depth immediately, challenging role players to fill larger voids during the exhibition schedule.

The overarching goal is to have a fully healthy roster when the games matter most. This preseason caution, while perhaps frustrating for fans eager to see the new team, is a calculated part of that plan. The organization is prioritizing a successful marathon over a fast start, banking that a healthy LeBron James in April and May is worth any short-term lineup disruptions in October.