LeBron James said the Los Angeles Lakers are looking forward to welcoming Kyle Kuzma back from injury.
Kuzma has yet to feature for the Lakers this NBA season due to a stress reaction in his left ankle, missing the team's opening four games.
However, Kuzma – who suffered the injury whilst on duty for Team USA ahead of the FIBA World Cup – is set to make his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
"It's going to take him a little bit to get into game shape," James told reporters of the 24-year-old after Thursday's practice.
"He hasn't played since USA basketball when he had the stress reaction. Obviously he's been training and working out, but like I always tell you guys, there's no substitution for game fatigue and game stamina.
"That will come, though. It's great to have him back on the floor. We definitely missed him."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 1, 2019
Kuzma averaged 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 2018-19 as the Lakers missed the playoffs in James' first season in Los Angeles.
"Yesterday [Wednesday] was kind of the most running I've done, so to wake up and not really have too much discomfort was a good sign," Kuzma said.
"Getting out here and doing the same thing [on Thursday], and so hopefully it's the same for tomorrow's game."
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel added: "[The training staff is] saying around 20 minutes. So there'll be a little bit of a restriction there."