Bronny James is listed day-to-day with an illness, and he was not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Kings. The Lakers play the Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and the injury report lists his expected return as that date.
What happened
Bronny James was added to the injury report as day-to-day on Monday, Oct. 19, at 3:55 p.m. ET. The listing is an illness, categorized as Other. He had no previous status on the report. The report's comment says James is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Kings, according to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com. The report gives an expected return of Oct. 21. No further detail on the illness has been announced, and no timeline beyond that date is given.
What it means for the Lakers
The Lakers play the Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. It is the date the report gives for James's return. The 2026-27 season has not started, so the Lakers are 0-0 and there is no record with or without him. James, a 22-year-old guard, played 42 games last season and averaged 8.9 minutes, 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He is a reserve. The Lakers' rotation without him runs through Luka Doncic at 35.8 minutes, Austin Reaves at 34.5 and LeBron James at 33.2. Marcus Smart (28.5), Rui Hachimura (28.3), Deandre Ayton (27.2), Jake LaRavia (25.1) and Luke Kennard (23.0) fill out the minutes.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether James moves off the day-to-day list before the Warriors game on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10:00 p.m. ET. The report lists Oct. 21 as his expected return. Other Lakers on the report as day-to-day are Dalton Knecht (illness), Jarred Vanderbilt, Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr (all undisclosed), and Collin Sexton (right lower leg). Any change to those listings would also affect the available rotation.
Is Bronny James playing vs the Warriors?
His status is day-to-day with an illness. The injury report lists Oct. 21, the date of the Warriors game, as his expected return. A final decision has not been announced.
When will Bronny James be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 21. The Lakers play the Warriors that night at 10:00 p.m. ET. No other timeline has been announced.