The Lakers will be without Luka Doncic on Thursday, as the star guard has been ruled out for the matchup in Toronto. Los Angeles listed him out for personal reasons, removing one of their top playmakers from the lineup for the next stop of their road trip. It is a significant absence for a team that has leaned heavily on his production all season.
Doncic, 26, is currently in Slovenia for the birth of his second child with his fiancée Anamaria Goltes, a moment that understandably takes precedence over basketball. It is not expected to be an extended absence for Doncic, but the Lakers are happy to give him the time he needs to welcome his newest family member.
He has been on fire this season with a career-high average of 35.3 points, along with 8.9 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 47.8 percent shooting (34.1 percent from three). He has been a leading MVP candidate this season, but he will now miss his fifth game in less than two months.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart (back) will also miss Thursday’s game as he recovers from back spasms. He has missed the last three games for the Lakers but is described as day-to-day, with his return imminent. His perimeter defense has been crucial for the Lakers this season, and he has made the most of his limited minutes.
With two of their key guards unavailable, the rest of the team will need to share ball-handling duties and rely more on Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton to keep the offense operating smoothly. It could also mean extended playing time for developing guard Bronny James (if he’s recalled), who was recently assigned to the G-League.
At 15-5, Los Angeles enters Thursday’s game looking to maintain its momentum despite being shorthanded. In a tight Western Conference race, every game carries weight, and the Lakers will need to find a way to stay competitive without the player who drives so much of their scoring and creation.
Against a Raptors team currently ranked second in the East, it will take a cohesive effort to secure the win, but this is a Lakers team that has been playing through injuries all season.
From Luka and LeBron to Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, various players have been in and out of the lineup, but it has hardly mattered this season. Led by JJ Redick, this team has employed a “next man up” mentality that keeps them competitive regardless of who is playing.
If they can adjust on Thursday like they have all season, the Lakers could steal a win on the road and make a statement without Doncic on the floor. It would put them back in the win column and set up Luka for a smooth return against the Celtics on Friday.
The Lakers have handled adversity all season, and Thursday will be another test of that resilience. Even without Luka, the standard for how they want to play does not change, and the depth around him has shown it can rise to the moment. Staying steady on this road trip keeps them positioned near the top of the West and sets the stage for Luka’s return to fold seamlessly back into the lineup.
