The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a potential setback as second-year guard Bronny James’s availability for the team’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2025, is in serious doubt due to an ankle sprain. The injury, which sidelined Bronny for the Lakers’ preseason finale on Friday, has left the young guard as a “modified participant” in Sunday’s practice, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. Listed as “day-to-day” by the Lakers, Bronny’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, raising concerns about his participation in the highly anticipated matchup.
This development compounds an already challenging situation for the Lakers, as LeBron James, Bronny’s father and teammate, is also sidelined with sciatica and not expected to return until mid-November. Last season, the father-son duo made NBA history during the Lakers’ season opener, becoming the first to play together as teammates. However, with Bronny’s ankle injury now threatening his availability, the Lakers may have to navigate the early part of the 2025-26 season without both Jameses, a scenario that could test the team’s depth and resilience.
Bronny’s Breakout Sophomore Season at Risk
Bronny James enters his second year with the Lakers carrying high expectations after a standout rookie season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. His growth as a player has been evident, with Lakers head coach JJ Redick praising his development. “He is so much more comfortable and confident as a player,” Redick said on October 4, per The Associated Press. “Skill-wise, read-wise, all of those things have improved, but there’s a big difference between improving those things in individual workouts and small group settings and doing it 5-on-5. … He’s a totally different player than he was a year ago.”
Redick highlighted Bronny’s time in the G League as pivotal, noting that it helped him develop the confidence and comfort needed to compete at the professional level. However, the ankle sprain now threatens to delay Bronny’s opportunity to showcase his progress in the NBA’s regular season, potentially disrupting his momentum.
Lakers’ Roster Challenges Amplified
The Lakers, who secured the second seed in the Western Conference last season, made significant offseason moves by adding Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia to bolster their roster. Despite these additions, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton projects the team to win just 36 games in the 2025-26 season, a notable regression from their previous performance. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps points to roster deficiencies, including weak interior and perimeter defense and inconsistent outside shooting, as reasons the Lakers may struggle to compete with Western Conference powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets.
Bontemps also emphasized the team’s reliance on the health of its star players, particularly LeBron James, who is approaching his 41st birthday and dealing with sciatica for the first time in his career. “The Lakers — fairly — believe a team led by Doncic and James can contend with anyone,” Bontemps wrote on October 13. “However, that requires both players to be healthy.” With LeBron already sidelined and Bronny’s status uncertain, the Lakers’ depth will be tested early in the season.
What’s Next for the Lakers?
As the Lakers prepare to face the Warriors, the absence of both LeBron and potentially Bronny could force Coach Redick to lean heavily on the team’s new additions and supporting cast. The severity of Bronny’s ankle sprain remains unclear, but a prolonged absence could impact his development and the team’s early-season chemistry. For a franchise with championship aspirations, these early injuries are a stark reminder of the challenges ahead in a highly competitive Western Conference.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Lakers adjust and whether Bronny can make a swift recovery to contribute to the team’s campaign. For now, the Lakers’ worst fears have been confirmed, and the spotlight is on their ability to overcome this adversity as the season tips off.