LOS ANGELES – With LeBron James out to start the 2025-26 season due to a nerve injury , the majority of the playmaking and ball-handling duties for the Los Angeles Lakers are going to fall on Luka Doncic are going to fall on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves . After Doncic sat out the first three preseason games, the duo got their first preseason start together on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves had 25 points each during the Lakers’ preseason game against the Suns, showing how effective the pairing can be to begin the regular season without James in the lineup. Prior to the Lakers’ final preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, head coach JJ Redick spoke about the pairing and how impactful they can be.

“They’re both just dynamic offensi

See Full Page