LeBron James to Sit Out Lakers' Preseason Game Due to Age
Coach Darvin Ham Cites Age as Factor in Decision
James Set to Make Season Debut on October 20th
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will not participate in the team's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, October 9th, due to his age, according to head coach Darvin Ham.
Ham said the decision was made in consultation with James and the team's medical staff.
"LeBron is a phenomenal athlete, but he's also 37 years old," Ham said. "We have to be smart about how we manage his minutes, especially in the preseason."
James is entering his 20th NBA season and is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.
He is expected to make his season debut on October 20th when the Lakers open the regular season at home against the Golden State Warriors.
James has been a key figure in the Lakers' success in recent years, helping the team win the NBA championship in 2020.
However, he has also been dealing with injuries in recent seasons, including a high ankle sprain that limited him to just 56 games last year.
The Lakers are hoping that by sitting out the preseason game, James will be able to stay healthy and fresh for the regular season.