UPDATE: The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a challenging start to the season, as superstar LeBron James faces a recovery period from sciatica. In his absence, fellow star Luka Doncic emphasizes his commitment to doing “whatever it takes” to secure wins for the team.
Currently, the Lakers are struggling without James, sitting at 0-2 in the preseason after losses to the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. As the team prepares for a rematch against the Warriors on Sunday, head coach JJ Redick has not yet confirmed if Doncic will play.
“I just want to play basketball,” Doncic stated after practice on Saturday. “If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes for me to get a win.” This mindset is crucial as the Lakers embark on a stretch of three preseason games within four days, including a road game against Phoenix on October 3 and a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on October 4.
James is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks as he recovers, with his condition to be reevaluated shortly. Redick acknowledged the impact of losing such a pivotal player, stating, “You hope that he’s back soon. Those things can be tricky.” The uncertainty of the starting lineup looms as the team adapts without their leader.
During practice, Doncic was a full participant after modifying his workload earlier in the week to manage fatigue following his recent stint with the Slovenian national team at EuroBasket. He noted, “Playing one month or something of basketball [for Slovenia]. Obviously, it’s a long season ahead.”
Redick faces the challenge of reshaping the lineup. Key players such as guard Austin Reaves and center Deandre Ayton will secure starting positions, but the remaining spots are still under evaluation. Rui Hachimura, who started 57 of his 59 games last season, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been healthy since last season’s playoffs, are both in the mix. New signings Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart add further depth, with Smart set to play against the Warriors after missing earlier games due to Achilles tendinopathy.
As the Lakers adapt to life without James, Doncic and the team are focusing on maintaining their competitive edge. “It’s a big change,” Doncic remarked on the impact of James’ absence. “He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be ‘next man up.’”
This critical mindset will be essential as the Lakers navigate the upcoming games. With fans eagerly anticipating how the team adjusts, all eyes will be on their performance against Golden State on Sunday. Will the Lakers rise to the occasion without their leader? Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
