The Los Angeles Lakers, clearly, don’t need to rush back LeBron James. In the Lakers’ 127-120 win over the Sacramento Kings, neither James nor Luka Doncic suited up. Without the two superstars, LA rose to the occasion.
Austin Reaves set a career-high with 51 points, and the Lakers enjoyed solid games from Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, as well.
Reaves and the Lakers proved that they can hold their own without two of the best players in the world. However, as the season goes on, the Lakers will need both Doncic and James to be healthy and productive.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 05: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of a preseason NBA game at Chase Center on October 05, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers Get Injury Update
Doncic will miss a week with a finger injury, although there is no reason to be concerned about his long-term health and availability.
James, on the other hand, has not played this season and missed the entire preseason with sciatica. It stands to reason that when he returns, he will be rusty. For the Lakers, that means getting him back for games and practice as soon as possible.
“I’m told that we’re still in the range of about three more weeks before he would be targeting a return sometime in mid-November,” said ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on October 27th. “Now, I have been told by multiple sources over the last several days that his rehab and all of the progress to get back to that return date is moving in the right direction. So there are good vibes around it.”
If James can be at 100% strength before Christmas, the Lakers should be in a great position to get through the meat of their schedule healthy. Of course, the regular season doesn’t matter too much to Los Angeles, which is only concerned with postseason success.
Lakers Encouraged to Rest LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Despite the hope that the Lakers can finish with a top-four seed, the reality is simple. The Lakers could win only 40 games, narrowly make the play-in, fight their way out, win the Finals, and consider the season a success.
As far-fetched as it sounds, a team with players this accomplished simply doesn’t need to sweat the regular season, unless it will impact their postseason performances.
“This team wants to be able to make some noise in the post-season, so do whatever you can now to make sure LeBron James’ body, Luka Doncic’s body, et cetera, right on down the roster is ready to play when it really matters,” McMenamin added.
Last season, the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Of course, Doncic wasn’t fully healthy, and their team didn’t have an offseason to build chemistry. This season, it’s championship-or-bust in Hollywood.
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