The Los Angeles Lakers will be without their top stars when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, a road matchup that suddenly feels far trickier than expected.
The Lakers (5–2) have won three straight since losing to the Trail Blazers 122-108 last week and climbed near the top of the Western Conference standings behind the brilliance of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, while the Trail Blazers (4–2) have rallied since head coach Chauncey Billups’ arrest, going 4–1 under interim coach Tiago Splitter.
Dončić and Reaves have been officially ruled out, joining LeBron James on the sidelines. Dončić is resting on the second night of a back-to-back as part of a load-management plan after missing three games last week with a sprained finger and lower-leg contusion.
Reaves is sidelined with right groin soreness, a new injury. James continues to nurse sciatica, while Gabe Vincent (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee) are also unavailable.
The Lakers could, however, get a boost if Deandre Ayton, who missed Sunday’s 130-120 win over the Miami Heat with back spasms, is cleared to play. Ayton and Maxi Kleber (abdominal strain) have been upgraded to questionable.
Luka Dončić’s Historic Start Halts Temporarily
Before sitting out Monday, Dončić was off to one of the most dominant starts in Lakers history. The 26-year-old superstar notched his first triple-double of the season against the Heat, finishing with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
That outing lifted his scoring total to 165 points through four games, setting a new franchise record for the most points by a Laker to start a season, according to NBA.com/Stats:
| Player | Season | Points (First 4 Games) |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | 2025–26 | 165 |
| Jerry West | 1969–70 | 154 |
| Kobe Bryant | 2005–06 | 146 |
Dončić also became the first Laker since Elgin Baylor to average over 40 points per game across his first four contests. Baylor’s single-season record of 38.3 PPG (1961–62) remains the benchmark, but Dončić’s current average of 41.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists places him firmly in early MVP territory.
Austin Reaves Matching the Firepower
While Dončić has captured the headlines, Reaves has been nearly as explosive. The 26-year-old guard has scored 143 points through four games, ranking fourth in Lakers franchise history behind Dončić, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant.
Reaves added 26 points and 11 assists in Sunday’s win against Miami, pushing his season totals to 265 points and 65 assists through seven games. His chemistry with Dončić has been central to the Lakers’ 5-2 start and their newfound offensive identity under head coach JJ Redick.
Jake LaRavia Expected to Lead Offense
With the Lakers’ three biggest stars sidelined, Jake LaRavia will again shoulder much of the scoring load. The 23-year-old swingman has emerged as a valuable rotation piece, averaging 21.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals over his last three outings.
A 2022 first-round pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, LaRavia joined the Lakers in July and has quickly found his rhythm in Redick’s system. Expect Bronny James, Dalton Knecht and Nick Smith Jr. to also log extended minutes in the backcourt.
Tough Test Awaits in Portland
The Trail Blazers have turned adversity into momentum since Billups’ arrest, notching key wins over the Lakers, Jazz and Nuggets last week. Playing with pace and defensive grit, Splitter’s Blazers have stunned Western contenders despite a roster overhaul.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will aim for their fourth straight win and sixth of the season, but doing so without Dončić, Reaves, and LeBron will test their depth and composure.
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