Doncic Takes on the Challenge: Without LeBron, Lakers Seek Victory

Doncic stands firm in the absence of LeBron James

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – While LeBron James recovers from sciatica that will keep him off the courts at the start of the season, Luka Doncic, another of the Los Angeles Lakers stars, has stated that he does not feel the need to take on a greater load in the absence of James.

“I don’t see it that way,” Doncic said after Saturday’s practice. “I just want to play basketball. If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes to get a win.”

Luka Doncic

So far, without James and Doncic, the Lakers have not achieved victories in the preseason, with a record of 0-2 against Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

The Los Angeles team will face Golden State again in a preseason game on Sunday. Lakers coach JJ Redick has not yet confirmed whether Doncic will participate in the game. The Lakers begin a three-game preseason series in four days on Sunday, which will continue with a road game against Phoenix on Tuesday and the second game of a back-to-back series against the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Redick indicated that Doncic will play in two of the remaining four preseason games for Los Angeles. Doncic fully participated on Saturday after his workload was modified throughout the week to preserve the 26-year-old player, following his participation with Slovenia in the EuroBasket this summer.

“I had the national team,” Doncic explained. “Playing a month or something like that of basketball [for Slovenia]. Obviously, there’s a long season ahead, so that’s why.”

Luka Doncic

Now, Redick has the challenge of covering for James, who will be out for the next three to four weeks before his sciatica is reevaluated.

“We hope he returns soon,” Redick said. “Those things can be complicated… It’s not clear what the starting lineup will be, that’s the reality, until he returns. We’ll have to figure that out.”

JJ Redick

Doncic, guard Austin Reaves and center Deandre Ayton will occupy three of the five positions. Redick will have to examine the other two starting positions, with Rui Hachimura, who started 57 of the 59 games he played for Los Angeles last season, as an obvious option. Jarred Vanderbilt, who has started in the two preseason games so far and is the healthiest he has been since the Lakers’ trip to the 2023 Western Conference Finals, and free agent signings Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart provide the team with different offensive and defensive options. Smart, who has also been out of action at the start of the preseason due to Achilles tendinopathy, will play against the Warriors, according to Redick. Redick has considered having a lineup and rotation that is better suited when James plays and another separate one for when he doesn’t. Doncic revealed that he and James have “talked a lot” while watching the Lakers’ training sessions from the bench during training camp, which has helped the team’s chemistry. For now, all Doncic and the Lakers will get from James during games is what the 40-year-old player can contribute with his voice from the bench.

“It’s a big change,” Doncic said about having to play without James. “He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality has to be ‘next man up.’ We have a group of players who have been training and we hope LeBron can join us as soon as possible. Obviously, we’ll need him. But our mentality has to be ‘next man up.’ That’s all.”

Luka Doncic