In a significant development for the Los Angeles Lakers, superstar LeBron James has been officially cleared to play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, January 2, 2026. The 41-year-old forward is not listed on the NBA's official injury report, confirming his availability for the crucial Western Conference clash at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James Returns After Sciatica Absence
The confirmation of James's status comes as a major relief for the Lakers, who sorely missed him in the teams' first meeting this season. He was sidelined for that Halloween matchup due to sciatica, a nerve-related back issue. The Lakers managed to win that NBA Cup game 117-112 without him, but his presence is deemed critical for the rematch.
James, who remains the anchor of the Lakers roster, showed no lingering effects from his back concerns during his last outing. He scored 17 points in the Lakers' recent 128-106 home loss to the Detroit Pistons, a game played on his birthday. His return is even more vital as the Lakers navigate absences of several key rotation players.
Injury Reports: Lakers and Grizzlies Depleted
The injury situation for both squads is extensive, impacting the game's dynamics. For the Lakers, alongside James's return, the report lists multiple absences. Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Adou Thiero are all ruled out with various leg and back injuries. Jarred Vanderbilt is marked as questionable with right leg soreness.
The Memphis Grizzlies are dealing with their own crisis, particularly in the frontcourt. Key players Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, and Vince Williams Jr. are out, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and rookie Jaylen Wells are questionable with hamstring issues. This thinning of Memphis's interior defense could create opportunities for the Lakers to attack the paint.
Game Context and What to Watch For
This game carries substantial weight in the tightly contested Western Conference. The Lakers enter with a 20-11 record, looking to bounce back from their loss to Detroit. The Grizzlies, at 15-18, are aiming to improve their road record and stay within striking distance of the playoff picture.
With James back in the fold, the Lakers regain their primary creator and leader. This season, in 15 games, he is averaging 20.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while shooting 49.6% from the field. The team has managed his workload, limiting him to just under 33 minutes per night, but his influence on both offense and defense remains unmistakable.
For Memphis, the burden will fall heavily on the star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to counter the Lakers' firepower. The key matchup to watch will be how the Grizzlies' depleted frontcourt handles LeBron James, especially if he decides to set an aggressive tone early by driving to the basket and pushing the pace.
The game is scheduled for a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. With LeBron James back in action and playoff implications on the line, this promises to be a compelling showdown to start the new year.
