The Lakers are preparing for an extended stretch without Luka Doncic, who is expected to miss most of the team’s upcoming Eastern Conference road trip. The star guard is traveling to Slovenia for the birth of his second child, leaving Los Angeles without its leading scorer and playmaker during one of the busiest parts of the schedule. His absence will be felt immediately as the Lakers begin a difficult run of games away from home.
Iztok Franko of Diggin Basketball reported that Doncic is likely to miss the majority of the trip and could be out for as many as three straight games. That includes tonight’s contest against the Raptors, who are currently ranked second in the East with an 8-2 record at home.
The Lakers then travel to Boston to complete their back-to-back set, followed by a visit to Philadelphia on Sunday for the final game of the road trip. They don’t get back to Los Angeles until the 10th, for a showdown against the Spurs on Wednesday. This is likely the soonest we can expect Doncic back, but perhaps not soon enough for the Lakers.
Amid various setbacks, Doncic has carried the team to a second-place standing so far, averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game on 47.8 percent shooting (34.1 percent from three). He is on track for his best season ever, and his questionable status for the next few games is a major blow for a team trying to maintain its current pace.
Tonight, they will also be without veteran guard Marcus Smart (back), leaving the Lakers even more vulnerable in the backcourt. To secure the win, Los Angeles must rely on Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura to carry the offense, but that is much easier said than done.
Besides fighting injuries all season, this is a team coming off an ugly loss to the Suns, where they gave up 125 points on their home floor. Multiple players expressed frustration after the defeat, but that may only be the beginning of even greater struggles.
If Luka Doncic is out for multiple games, it could lead to their longest losing streak of the season, and that would be enough to significantly impact their standing in the West.
For the Lakers, this road trip is a chance to show their depth and how a next man up mentality can help them through any major absence. On paper, they have more than enough to hold their own in these three games, but only time will tell how they perform without their on-court leader and go-to scorer.
Ultimately, the Lakers have handled adversity throughout the season, and this stretch without Doncic will demand that same resilience. These games offer a chance for the supporting cast to reestablish its rhythm and prove the team can stay competitive without its star. Staying afloat now keeps the Lakers in position to surge once Doncic returns, and how they respond on this trip could shape the direction of their season.
