LeBron James to Sit Out Preseason, Preparing for Season Opener

LeBron James, the star forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, will sit out the remainder of the preseason as he recovers from a nerve irritation in his glute. At 40 years old and entering his 23rd NBA season, James is focusing on getting ready for the team’s opening game, according to reports.

James has been gradually ramping up his on-court activity and has already begun some basketball drills. Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned that James will need a longer recovery period leading up to the regular season, noting, “It’s probably a little bit longer of a ramp-up leading up to opening night for him.”

While James played in 70 games last season, contributing averages of 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game, he missed several games due to foot and ankle issues, including the All-Star Game. His postseason was also cut short after suffering a sprained MCL during a playoff game, which was the final game of the series.

It remains uncertain whether this will be James’s final NBA season, but at this stage in his career, maintaining health is crucial for the Lakers’ playoff aspirations. The team is eager to see how he can perform alongside Luka Dončić this season, with a focus on ensuring he is fully healthy when the postseason arrives.

The Lakers have four preseason games remaining before their first regular-season game against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.