Doncic ready to lead Lakers without LeBron: “Whatever it takes to win”

Doncic Doesn’t Feel Extra Pressure Due to LeBron James’ Absence

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – While LeBron James recovers from sciatica on his right side, the other star of the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic, has stated that he does not feel the need to take on more responsibility in the absence of James.

“I don’t see it that way,” Doncic stated 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, losing both matches against the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors.

The Los Angeles team will face Golden State again in a preseason game on Sunday, and Lakers coach JJ Redick has not yet confirmed Doncic’s participation. The Lakers begin a series of three preseason games in four days on Sunday, including 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 has indicated that Doncic will participate in two of the remaining four preseason games for the Lakers. Doncic was actively involved 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. “I played a month or so of basketball [for Slovenia]. Obviously, there’s a long season ahead, so that’s why.”

Luka Doncic

Now, Redick has the challenge of replacing James, who will be absent for the next three or four weeks, pending a reevaluation of his sciatica.

“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 it out.”

JJ Redick

Doncic, shooting guard Austin Reaves and center Deandre Ayton will occupy three of the five positions. Redick will need to evaluate 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 both preseason games so far and is in his best physical condition since the Lakers’ trip to the 2023 Western Conference Finals, and free agent signings Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart, offer the team diverse offensive and defensive options. Smart, who has also been absent 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 works better when James plays and a different one when he doesn’t. Doncic revealed that he and James have “talked a lot” while watching the Lakers’ training from the bench during training camp, which has strengthened the chemistry. For now, the only thing Doncic and the Lakers will get from James during the games is what the 40-year-old player can contribute with his voice from the bench.

“It’s a big change,” Doncic commented on 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’re going to need him. But our mentality has to be ‘next man up’. That’s all.”

Luka Doncic