The Los Angeles Lakers announced that Marcus Smart and Maxi Kleber will not play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns.
Coach JJ Redick confirmed that both players are sidelined due to injuries, with Smart managing Achilles tendinopathy and Kleber recovering from a quad issue.
LeBron James will also miss the game as he continues to address nerve irritation in his glute, with the team prioritizing his full recovery before the regular season.
Forward Adou Thiero is also out, dealing with a knee injury, leaving the Lakers with several key players unavailable for the first exhibition matchup.
The Lakers have approximately three weeks before opening night, and Redick emphasized a cautious approach to ensure players are healthy for the start of the season.
“We’re going to try to play these guys in shorter bursts,” the coach said, via Dave McMenamin.
Despite absences, the Lakers are set to open their 2025-26 preseason with games against Golden State, Dallas, and Sacramento, providing opportunities for younger players to gain experience.
