Is LeBron James playing tonight vs. Grizzlies? Final status for Lakers star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers lost their last game of 2025 to the Detroit Pistons. They’ll look to respond by winning their first game of 2026 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
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It will be the second game of the season between Los Angeles and Memphis, as the Lakers bested the Grizzlies, 117-112, in an NBA Cup group stage game back on Halloween.
LeBron James will play against Grizzlies on Friday night
Lakers star forward LeBron James didn’t play in that game as he was sidelined with sciatica, but the story will be different this time around.
Though James missed the first matchup with Memphis, he won’t miss the second one. James isn’t listed on the official injury report for the contest, indicating that he’ll be available to be out on the floor with his teammates.
On the season, James has appeared in 15 games for the Lakers and posted averages of 20.3 points, 6.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1 steal in 32.9 minutes of action per performance. Not bad for a guy who just turned 41 years old.
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But, while James will be available for the game, the Lakers will still be without a few key contributors. Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Adou Thiero have all been ruled out of the game due to various ailments.
The Lakers enter the matchup with Memphis sitting fifth in the Western Conference standings with a record of 20-11, while the Grizzlies are ninth at 15-18.
Regardless of what happens in the game on Friday night, the Lakers won’t have to wait long for another crack at the Grizzlies, as the two teams are also set to meet again on Sunday.