Walton: LeBron will play in Lakers' preseason opener Sunday vs. Nuggets

There was doubt over whether LeBron James would take the floor in the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason opener this weekend, but that's no longer the case.

Head coach Luke Walton told reporters Thursday James will indeed play Sunday night against the Denver Nuggets at San Diego's Valley View Casino Center in what will likely be limited minutes, according to Spectrum's Mike Trudell.

James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin following Wednesday's practice that he doesn't need preseason games to ready himself at this stage of his career.

Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the four-time league Most Valuable Player suited up for just one of his team's five preseason outings due to an injured ankle. That was the only stretch he'd miss all year, as James wound up playing a full 82-game slate for the first time in his 15-year career.

Related - Walton: Lakers will rely on LeBron in crunch time

James' "joy" of being a Laker and having a fresh roster to compete with could entice him to willingly log more minutes in the preseason, a source told McMenamin.

The Lakers begin their regular season on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 18.