PALM DESERT, Calif. — LeBron James will not play in the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason debut Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN.
James, 39, will be held out for rest but is expected to play in L.A.'s second game Sunday at Acrisure Arena against the Phoenix Suns.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said James and Anthony Davis — coming off busy summers crossing the globe with Team USA, culminating with winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics — would both play at some point this weekend.
James' son, Lakers rookie Bronny James, could see his first preseason action Friday, as Redick said he plans to experiment with varying lineups during exhibition schedule. «Of course, there are nerves,» Bronny said after shootaround Friday morning. «Comes with everything.