Coming off an impressive 130-120 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday night, the Los Angeles Lakers have built momentum, improving to 5-2 on the season. While that record presents a promising outlook, the upcoming game against the Portland Trail Blazers could raise some roster concerns.
Ahead of Monday night’s game, the Lakers will see two new additions to the injury report, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves listed out, according to Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell.
Doncic, who sustained a lower left leg contusion and a left finger sprain last week, is reportedly still recovering from this injury. Following last night’s game against the Heat, the Lakers are opting to rest their superstar as a precaution to avoid aggravating the injury.
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves appears to be dealing with a right groin injury. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Reaves played through the injury last night, though concerns about severity remain.
Along with these two starters, the Lakers will continue to manage a shorthanded starting rotation, with Deandre Ayton and LeBron James also on the injury report.
Ayton, who has been dealing with back spasms, missed the game against the Heat last night due to his injury. His availability is reportedly questionable. Meanwhile, James remains sidelined with sciatica. Recent updates indicate that he is scheduled to return by mid-November.
Beyond the starters, the Lakers will also be without some key role players sidelined for Monday night’s game. Veteran guard Gabe Vincent will miss considerable time after sustaining a left ankle sprain. Rookie forward Adou Thiero continues to recover from his pre-existing knee injury, but has begun ramping up activity. Meanwhile, veteran big man Maxi Kleber remains questionable with an abdominal injury.
With roughly seven players out of the rotation for the game against the Blazers, the Lakers’ rotation will appear thin, requiring more production from the rest of the rotation.
Can The Lakers Win Without Doncic and Reaves?
The outlook for Monday night’s game against the Blazers appears bleak, especially with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out of the lineup. Given how pivotal the backcourt duo has been for the Lakers’ start to the 2025-26 season, the rest of the rotation will need to step up in their absence.
Both Doncic and Reaves have looked like MVP candidates to begin the new campaign. The Slovenian, coming off his first triple-double of the season, is averaging 41.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game on 54.5% shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Reaves has been equally impressive, notching an average of 31.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game on 48.9% shooting overall.
With two of the Lakers’ most productive players sidelined for Monday night’s game, the Purple and Gold may struggle to get going offensively. Coming up against a team like Portland, which has stunned its opponents early in the campaign, may be too much for Los Angeles’ depleted roster.
