LeBron James and Bronny James in action (Image via Getty Images) On October 17, the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings finish their preseason matches. The two Pacific Division teams are seeking to end their 2025 preseasons on a high when they meet in a cross-state match on Friday night. Though much of the hype had been built up around the match, it was somewhat tainted by the news that the father-son duo LeBron and Bronny James would not be playing for personal reasons.
LeBron and Bronny James’ health issues adds suspense to Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings preseason clash
LeBron James and his ongoing recovery from sciatica remain the focal point of the Los Angeles Lakers. As he prepares for his 23rd season in the NBA, the 40-year-old legend is not suiting up tonight.As a result of the sprain to his ankle, LeBron’s son Bronny James will also be on the bench for Friday’s preseason match. Team insiders have said that the Lakers are looking to get LeBron back in mid-November, with a follow-up examination scheduled for October 30 to check his progress.The Lakers have had a difficult preseason under first-year head coach JJ Redick. In early October, James was diagnosed with sciatica after missing training camp because of glute soreness. The staff promised to reassess him in three to four weeks. Since October 30 is the earliest date the Lakers could reassess James’ recovery, ESPN’s insider Shams Charania described it as a crucial date in James’ return.On the other hand, due to a fresh injury, second-year Los Angeles Lakers point guard Bronny James will not play in the team’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
LeBron James’ glute setback and Bronny’s ankle sprain cloud Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason finale with uncertainty
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Kings James is expected to make a comeback in mid-November. In his 23rd season, the 40-year-old became the first NBA player to play after being diagnosed with a right-side sciatica condition. James will miss more than a month of action before making his 2025–26 season debut. When the Lakers announced James’ injury last Thursday, it was expected that he would miss three to four weeks.Due to “nerve irritation in his glute,” the 21-time All-Star was unable to participate in preseason games or training camp. He will miss the whole preseason schedule in addition to a few regular season games for around three to four weeks, according to the diagnostic’s final findings. Head coach JJ Redick said that James had hoped to make a comeback for the Lakers’ October 21 season opening. Meanwhile, Jovan Buha of “Buha’s Block,” reports that Bronny James will be sharing the sidelines with his 40-year-old father. Everyone else will be available for the match, according to Buha. This means that backup center Maxi Kleber will make his preseason debut and Jarred Vanderbilt will return after leaving the Lakers’ 121-94 preseason loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday due to an injury. On the other hand, Bronny’s tentative date of return hasn’t been mentioned as of yet. Also read: LeBron James makes life-changing decision as he takes patient approach to his nerve injury recovery ahead of his Los Angeles Lakers comeback