The Los Angeles Lakers will be without both Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, as the two have officially been ruled out due to injuries.
Doncic will sit for injury management, likely tied to the left finger sprain and lower leg contusion that sidelined him for three games earlier this season. The Lakers have been cautious with Doncic’s minutes since acquiring him, especially given his heavy workload early on and the physical toll he’s endured as the team’s lead playmaker.
Reaves, meanwhile, is dealing with a groin injury sustained after his 26-point, 11-assist performance in Sunday night’s 130-120 win over the Miami Heat. His recent playmaking surge has been crucial to keeping the Lakers’ offense alive while James and Doncic missed time, showing how essential he’s become to the roster’s balance.
The absences of Doncic and Reaves are significant, as both have carried the Lakers’ offensive workload through the early stretch of the season. Across seven games, Reaves is averaging 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds on 48.9% shooting from the field and 34.4% from three. Doncic has been even more dominant, averaging 41.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists on 54.5% shooting, while setting a new franchise record for the most points scored through a Laker’s first four games — surpassing both Kobe Bryant and Jerry West.
With both stars sidelined, Los Angeles will once again be shorthanded, as LeBron James also remains out while recovering from injury. He is expected to return sometime in mid-November. Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber have been listed as questionable, leaving head coach JJ Redick with a depleted rotation heading into tonight’s contest.
The Lakers will look to avoid dropping their second straight game to Portland after a 108-122 loss on October 27th. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EST, as Los Angeles aims to stay afloat while their stars recover.
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