The Los Angeles Lakers are halfway through the 2023-24 preseason, and LeBron James has already suited up for the team’s 11 players. After missing the first preseason game of the year against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron made his 2023-24 debut against the Brooklyn Nets (with much better looking feet).
LeBron returns to the bench when the Lakers take on the Sacramento Kings at Honda Center on Wednesday. LeBron didn’t have to push in the preseason, so he didn’t play in either Game 1 or Game 3.
Given LeBron’s current on-again, off-again schedule, Lakers fans who were watching their team take on the Warriors at home were curious to see if he would suit up for the team’s first game at Crypto.com Arena.
Will LeBron James play against the Warriors tonight?
As of this writing, the Lakers have not confirmed or denied whether James will play against the Warriors. While there’s no official confirmation, it seems more likely that LeBron will play considering he didn’t play in the last preseason game.
LeBron said before the preseason began that his goal was to play about half of the team’s preseason games before the regular season. If he wants to keep up this pace, he’ll have to play against the Warriors on Friday. If he doesn’t, it would seem to indicate he will play the final two games of the preseason.
Updated injury report for Lakers vs. Warriors:
Several Lakers starters sat out Wednesday’s game against the Kings. Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the starters currently out due to injury, as he is dealing with a heel injury. This will be the third straight game Vanderbilt has missed.
Cam Reddish also missed Wednesday’s game with an ankle injury. His official designation is day-to-day, and it’s unclear whether he will suit up in purple and gold on Friday.
Updated injury report for Warriors vs. Lakers:
Draymond Green is still considered day-to-day and will be reevaluated on Monday, so he won’t play against the Lakers on Friday. Rodney McGruder (concussion) and Corey Joseph (linebacker) have both been listed for Friday’s game.
Jonathan Kuminga is listed as questionable. Kuminga is dealing with a thumb injury. Superstar guard Stephen Curry will likely play in the preseason opener against the Lakers but has not suited up since.