The NBA’s fans in China won’t be without the opportunity of seeing star talent go against each other when the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets face off next week in Shenzhen and Shanghai.
Kyrie Irving, who suffered a facial fracture in the early stages of training camp, will play with the Nets come to China to play a two-game set against LeBron James and the Lakers, according to Nets coach Kenny Atkinson. Kevin Durant, however, will not be with the team according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
The Lakers also have injuries, most notably a stress reaction injury to Kyle Kuzma that is expected to keep him out through the team’s China trip. The Lakers have a preseason game later this evening in San Francisco, in which LeBron James and Anthony Davis are expected to play. So barring anything unforeseen, the Lakers two stars will also play against Irving and the Nets in China.
LeBron hasn’t been in China with his NBA team since 2012. James also played in the China Games in 2007 with the Cleveland Cavaliers in Shanghai and Macao against now-teammate Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.
