Doncic Debuts in Preseason with Lakers vs Suns; Smart and Reaves Also Play

Doncic ready to debut in preseason with the Lakers

Luka Doncic’s much-anticipated preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers is about to happen. According to coach JJ Redick, the talented player will take to the court on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. Doncic did not participate in the first three preseason games, while the Lakers sought to manage the workload of the 26-year-old player, after his one-month commitment to the Slovenian national team in the EuroBasket. After the game against the Suns, the Lakers will close out their preseason series with a game in Las Vegas against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and a home game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Redick indicated that Doncic will also play in the game against the Mavericks or the Kings. It is likely that he will play against the Kings, considering that the game against the Mavericks is the second night of a back-to-back. The coach will work with Doncic’s physical trainer, Javy Barrio, to determine the player’s playing time, but the Lakers will take precautions in Phoenix. “I would say there will probably be a gradual increase in Luka’s minutes between the first and second game,” Redick said. “We’re still talking with Javy and Luka about what the total number makes sense.” When asked how he planned to use Doncic, Redick humorously replied: “Give him the ball”. Marcus Smart, who hasn’t played in the first three preseason games due to Achilles tendinopathy, will also debut with the Lakers in Phoenix, according to Redick. The coach added that Austin Reaves will also play against the Suns. With the start of the regular season against the Golden State Warriors a little over a week away, Redick still has to define his starting lineup. LeBron James will be out for at least two or three more weeks due to sciatica on his right side before being reevaluated.

“You want to put your five best players on the court as much as possible. You also want to have balance in each lineup. When we do our substitution metrics: Who’s going to defend? Who’s going to create? Are we going to have enough shooting? So you do that with every lineup you put out there, including the starting lineup,” Redick said.

JJ Redick

“We’re still working on it and, obviously, losing LeBron at the start of the year complicates things a bit. So we have a week to figure it out and I think it will reveal itself.”