Lakers Superstars Sit Out Preseason Opener as Bronny James Debuts

On October 4th, 2025, the NBA preseason got underway with a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. However, the highly anticipated game was missing two of the league's biggest stars, as both LeBron James and Luka Doncic sat out due to their ongoing recovery from injuries.

LeBron, who is set to begin his record 23rd NBA season, is progressing deliberately in his return from a minor nerve injury. Similarly, Doncic is also ramping up with caution after a busy summer playing for Slovenia at EuroBasket. While the two superstars watched from courtside, the rest of the Lakers struggled, falling behind the Suns by as much as 27 points in the third quarter.

In the absence of LeBron and Doncic, the spotlight shone on Bronny James, LeBron's son, who made his Lakers debut. The 20-year-old played nearly 23 minutes, though he struggled to find his shooting touch, going 1-for-7 from 3-point range. Despite the growing pains, Bronny showed flashes of his potential, hitting five free throws and working to run the Lakers' offense.

On the other side, the Suns' new additions shone brightly. Devin Booker scored 24 points, while Dillon Brooks, acquired in a trade from the Houston Rockets, added 10 points in his first game for Phoenix. The Suns' dominant performance in the preseason opener suggests they will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.