Bronny James is ready to begin his Lakers career in preseason. LeBron may not play until the next game

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Bronny James is expected to play in his first NBA preseason game Friday night when the Lakers host Minnesota in the first of two weekend games from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley.

LeBron James isn't expected to play with his eldest son against the Timberwolves, but the 39-year-old superstar will likely play against Phoenix on Sunday – which happens to be Bronny's 20th birthday.

The Lakers made no announcement before the game, but ESPN reported that LeBron will not play against Minnesota as he returns to competition after a busy summer. LeBron and Anthony Davis were both part of the U.S. team that won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Thursday that both LeBron James and Davis will play in at least one game this weekend.

Bronny James was the Lakers' second-round draft pick and played for the team in summer league competition in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-2 guard is expected to play for the Lakers in the preseason before spending much of the upcoming season with the G League's South Bay Lakers.

“Of course there are nerves,” Bronny said after the Lakers’ pregame shootout. “But I'm just looking forward to going out there and learning from the people that are playing in front of me and if I get the chance to show what I can do, that's what I'm going to do.”

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