Is LeBron James playing tonight? Exploring 4x NBA champion's availability vs Bucks | 2024 NBA preseason

LeBron James may have been perplexed about jetting off to Milwaukee for a preseason game against the Bucks on Thursday (Oct. 10). Still, the veteran forward will be in attendance when the LA Lakers take a trip to the East to play their third tune-up game ahead of the regular season.

The Lakers come off two losses in as many preseason matchups, and James himself had a game where he made history, suiting up with his son Bronny James against the Phoenix Suns earlier this week.

James will likely play one half of the contest if the second game was any indication. He played 16 minutes against Phoenix, propping up 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

The 39-year-old was not listed in the team's injury list at the time of writing. With JJ Redick fine-tuning the LA offense, the 4x NBA champion will be taking the hardwood, perhaps alongside his son again as the Lakers look to notch up a couple of wins in the practice games.

The Lakers have three preseason games left after Friday, all of which are on the road. While there's a real possibility of LeBron James playing against the Bucks, expect him to be rested for at least one game as the rest of LA looks to nail their plans for the grueling regular season starting Oct. 22.

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LeBron James enters his 22nd year in the NBA with the same question: Can he deliver another title?

LeBron James and the LA Lakers last won the title in 2020. They have made the playoffs every year since except for the god-awful 2022-23 run, where injuries to both James and Anthony Davis, along with the ill-fated Russell Westbrook trade, derailed their campaign.

Now, as the franchise gears up for a new season under Redick and James playing his 22nd year, the same question of whether he can lead LA to another title comes to the fore.

With LA running it back with the same roster, the onus will again be on James to produce at an elite level, while also staying healthy. He played his best season last edition health-wise with 71 games, averaging a solid 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.

He will be looked to facilitate plays, dial up the scoring, and make an impact defensively even as the rest of the unit will look to complement the star duo. If the Lakers can manage to lighten LeBron James' load on the end of the floor, they will be getting a more productive run from the 4x NBA MVP.