The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers are in the beginning stages of their in-season tournament matchup at the Footprint Center, and LeBron James isn’t on the court.

With 4:22 left in the first, James suffered what appeared to be a non-contact injury on his left leg.

James went to the bench and hasn’t re-entered the action. He initially left with five points, one rebound and one assist.

James didn’t stay out for long, as he re-entered action in the second quarter.

James didn’t play in Phoenix all last season due to injury, and the second matchup of the 2023-24 season saw him and Kevin Durant face each other for the first time in nearly five years due to various circumstances.

The Lakers are just 3-5 this year but were hoping to gain a crucial opening night win in the NBA’s first ever in-season tournament. The Suns, on the other hand, were 4-4 heading into tonight.

Phoenix had hoped to avenge their previous defeat earlier in the season after the Lakers erased a ten-point deficit in the fourth quarter to upset the Suns.

Tonight, the Suns saw Bradley Beal make his home debut while Devin Booker is still out due to injury.