LeBron James Expected to Have Limited Playing Time in Lakers’ Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Lakers’ star player LeBron James will not be making an appearance in the team’s exhibition opener against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. However, fans need not worry as James is planning to see significant court time during the preseason and hopes to play in at least half of the team’s six preseason games.
Last season, the 39-year-old NBA veteran missed a total of 27 games due to a right foot injury. Fortunately, early reviews of his training camp performance have been positive, with Lakers coach Darvin Ham confirming that James has regained his burst and is fully recovered from the injury.
Despite appearing to be in great athletic shape, the team and its medical staff are taking extra precautions to protect James due to his age and extensive experience in the league. To ensure an effective plan for his playing time and overall health, James’ longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, will collaborate closely with the Lakers’ medical team.
The Lakers’ preseason schedule includes games against the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. As the team takes a cautious approach with James, they will allow him to ease into the preseason without going full throttle in every practice and game.
With high expectations for the upcoming season, the Lakers are being cautious about not overexerting James during the preseason. The team aims to find the perfect balance between giving him enough playing time to prepare for the regular season while also ensuring his long-term health and durability.
As one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron James’ presence on the court is always a treat for fans. While they may have to wait a bit longer to see him in action during the preseason opener, they can rest assured that James will be ready and eager to make his mark when the regular season rolls around.
