The Los Angeles Lakers will be without MVP frontrunner Luka Dončić as they begin a challenging three-game road trip Thursday in Toronto. Dončić has returned to Slovenia for the birth of his second child, according to Eurohoops.net, leaving the Lakers without the NBA’s leading scorer as they look to rebound from a 125–108 loss to the Phoenix Suns that snapped their seven-game winning streak.
The Lakers (15–5) enter Toronto sitting second in the Western Conference — their best 20-game start since their 2019–20 NBA championship season — but they now face their toughest stretch of the early campaign without their franchise superstar.
The Impact of Luka Dončić’s Absence
Dončić has been nearly unstoppable during the first month of the season, averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists through 16 games while firmly positioning himself within the NBA MVP and scoring title conversations.
Despite his absence, the Lakers have proven resilient in short bursts — posting a 3–1 record without Dončić — thanks to the meteoric rise of Austin Reaves, who has emerged as one of the league’s most explosive offensive weapons.
In the three games Dončić missed, Reaves averaged 40.0 points, 10.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds, forcing the league to reconsider his value and complicating the Lakers’ decision-making ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Austin Reaves’ Breakout Season
Reaves is producing career-best marks across the board — 28.1 points, 6.6 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game — in a contract year that could reshape his future and the Lakers’ long-term core.
The 27-year-old undrafted guard declined a four-year, $89.2 million extension last summer and is expected to opt out of his $14.9 million player option after the season to hit unrestricted free agency. His rise to becoming a legitimate All-Star candidate has fueled the Lakers’ early surge and intensified speculation around whether Los Angeles may need to commit near-max money to retain him.
LeBron James’ Production Decline Raises Questions
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is in danger of missing out on an All-NBA selection this season.
Meanwhile, LeBron James will be under the spotlight in Toronto. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer finished with just 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting in the loss to Phoenix and is averaging a career-low 16.5 points since returning from a 14-game absence due to sciatic nerve issues.
While his scoring has dipped, James — now the oldest player in the NBA — remains effective as a facilitator with 7.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
The Lakers will need vintage flashes from the four-time champion against the surging Raptors, who have won eight of their last 10 and climbed to second in the Eastern Conference at 15–7.
Marcus Smart Injury Adds Defensive Concerns for Lakers
Los Angeles will also be without defensive anchor Marcus Smart, sidelined for the fourth straight game due to lower-back injury management. Without Smart, the Lakers have surrendered 125 points to Phoenix, 119 to Dallas and 118 to the Clippers, dropping to 18th in defensive efficiency.
Head coach JJ Redick downplayed long-term concerns, calling Smart’s back issue “day-to-day,” but the timing is less than ideal, given the grueling schedule ahead.
Lakers Road Trip Outlook
After Toronto, the Lakers continue their trip with back-to-back games in Boston on Friday and Philadelphia on Sunday, a stretch that could determine whether Los Angeles remains near the top of the Western Conference standings or slips into the crowded playoff chase.
As Dončić welcomes a new addition to the family, the Lakers enter a pivotal test — one that may reveal how far this roster can go if their MVP candidate misses time again later this season.
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