Will LeBron James play against the Golden State Warriors tonight? Los Angeles Lakers latest injury update (October 13)

Modified at 04:44 GMT on October 13, 2023

LeBron James has played in just one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ three preseason games so far. Two of those games were won as head coach Darvin Ham juggled different lineups. While Los Angeles lost to the Golden State Warriors in their preseason opener, they had wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings. Now, they will face the Warriors again on Friday, October 13th at Crypto.com Arena, and there is no word yet on whether James will participate in this game.

With three preseason games left, including an upcoming game against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers will be looking to field their entire roster at some stage. Since James has rested two games, it is obvious that the think tank has chosen an extra cautious route.

While most would argue that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will be a better matchup for LeBron James on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks, he Likely to play on a minutes restriction against the Warriors.

After reports surfaced that LeBron James suffered a torn tendon in his ankle last season, the Purple and Gold will be extra careful to ensure he is available for extended minutes during the regular season. In the only preseason game of the season, James scored 10 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists against the Nets, helping the Lakers win 129-126.

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Will the Los Angeles Lakers field a full roster, including LeBron James, against the Golden State Warriors?

Because of the responsibility of risk management, the preseason often allows teams to rest their big stars, keeping them fresh for the grueling regular season. The Lakers took the same route, resting James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reeves in Game 1. The same was true against the Kings when the trio didn’t play.

To be sure, the Lakers will likely play three of their biggest players in every preseason game. Another possibility is that Ham watches all three players on a game-by-game basis.

Meanwhile, this preseason has begun for the Lakers, as their previous two years have been filled with failures that ultimately set the tone for how they begin the regular season.

The positive for LeBron James and the players around him is the depth and chemistry that makes them a championship contender. The Lakers will look to bring their regular starters on board at some point, and only time will tell if Friday is that day.