Ahead of Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James' 23rd NBA season , he will miss his team's preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns. While Lakers head coach JJ Redick continues to tinker with lineups amid training camp, James will take the night off in their first exhibition before the 2025-26 campaign.

James, dealing with a glute injury , will be joined by Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber, and Adou Thiero, all sidelined for Friday's preseason game against the Suns, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

“JJ Redick says the team is still evaluating its lineups for the first preseason games this weekend, but it’s already been determined that LeBron James (glute), Marcus Smart (Achilles tendinopathy), Maxi Kleber (quad), and Adou Thiero (knee) are out Friday against PHX,” McMenamin reported.

James ha

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