PALM DESERT — The Lakers will kick off their preseason slate Friday night without two of their top stars.

Luka Doncic joined LeBron James as Lakers who’ll be sidelined for the preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena.

The team said Doncic won’t play in the weekend’s preseason games: Friday versus the Suns and Sunday against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

The decision was a collaborative one with the team’s performance staff after Doncic’s EuroBasket run with Slovenia this summer.

James, who was a limited participant during training camp this past week because of nerve irritation in his glute, also won’t be available.

Marcus Smart (Achilles tendinopathy), Adou Thiero (left knee swelling) and Maxi Kleber (quad injury) are also sidelined.

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