LeBron James and Anthony Davis are “unlikely” to play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason opener on Friday, according to head coach Frank Vogel. The Lakers and Miami Heat have both had a much shorter offseason than usual due to the league’s truncated schedule.
The Lakers play the LA Clippers on Friday at 7 PM to kick off the preseason. It will be the first of two preseason matchups against the hometown rivals and four preseason games overall, the other two being against the new-look Phoenix Suns.
Vogel, as well as his two stars, have spoken about the potential for rest throughout the regular season to ensure that the team is healthy in the playoffs. That seems to be starting early as the team has only just started training camp this past week.
Vogel has also said that both James and Davis will get some minutes in the preseason to get their rhythm back ahead of the new year, but it’s unclear how much they will be used.
On Friday, the Lakers will be able to get a look at their new acquisitions in Dennis Schroder, Wesley Matthews, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol. It’s unclear if Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie will be featured as they are yet to report to camp.
