LeBron James to Sit Out Preseason Game Due to Age, Says Lakers Coach

Status Uncertain for Season Opener, Further Evaluation Needed

Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham announced on Tuesday that LeBron James will sit out the team's final preseason game due to age-related concerns. The 38-year-old forward has been managing a variety of nagging injuries throughout training camp and the preseason, and the team is exercising caution to avoid aggravating them before the regular season begins.

Ham stated that James' status for the season opener on October 18th is still uncertain and that he will be evaluated further in the coming days. The Lakers have a few more days of practice before their first regular season game against the Golden State Warriors, and the team will use that time to assess James' condition and determine whether he is ready to play.

Preseason Performance and Injury History

James has played in two of the Lakers' four preseason games so far, averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in limited minutes. He has looked somewhat rusty at times, but he has also shown flashes of his old self, including a 23-point performance against the Sacramento Kings.

James has a long history of injuries, including a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss significant time last season. He also missed several games during the 2020-21 season due to a nagging foot injury. The Lakers are hoping to avoid any major injuries this season, and they are being cautious with James' workload in the preseason.