Los Angeles Lakers News

WESTERN PACIFIC

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Returns For All-Star Game On Minutes Cap

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) will start Sunday's All-Star Game but is expected to play limited minutes in the opening matchup only. The 26-year-old missed the Lakers' final four games before the break with a mild left hamstring strain, though his participation signals progress ahead of Friday's meeting with the Clippers. Doncic averaged 26.0 points, 3.6 threes, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 28.4 minutes over his last five contests. Fantasy managers should anticipate a full workload next week, trimming short-term upside for Austin Reaves and LeBron James.

2 days ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Likely Available for All-Star Game

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is on track to play during Sunday's All-Star Game, according to Marc Stein. He's expected to play a short stint in the game after missing the final four games ahead of the break due to a lingering hamstring injury. Doncic reportedly looked good during a recent workout and should be available for his exhibition, barring any setbacks. His role is unlikely to be significant, but basketball fans will be happy to see Doncic involved in any capacity. The fact that he's almost certainly going to play on Sunday should mean that Doncic will play during the first game after the break.

4 days ago

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Remains Day-to-Day for Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Dallas and is considered day to day after imaging showed no structural damage. He has now missed two straight contests. In his absence on Thursday, Jaxson Hayes started and delivered 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in 34 minutes, making him the clear streaming option if Ayton remains sidelined. Jarred Vanderbilt can chip in rebounds and defensive stats, but he is a fringe add. Ayton remains a hold in all formats.

4 days ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Posts Historic Triple-Double in Win

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James delivered 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in 35 minutes in Thursday's 124-104 win over Dallas, becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) sidelined and Austin Reaves still ramping up, James has steadied the offense and kept the Lakers' role players slotted cleanly. Doncic's eventual return could trim James' usage slightly, but the 41-year-old remains a must-start given his current playmaking spike. Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, and Luke Kennard are the most likely to lose touches.

4 days ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Expected Back After All-Star Break

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is expected to return Feb. 20 against the Clippers. Coach JJ Redick indicated Thursday that Doncic is trending in the right direction, with the team taking a cautious approach given the soft-tissue nature of the injury. Doncic has missed the last four games. His return would reclaim a 37.7 percent usage role, trimming minutes for Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard. LeBron James and Austin Reaves could see slight usage dips, though both remain strong fantasy plays once Doncic is active.

4 days ago

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Ruled Out on Thursday

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. He's set to miss his second straight contest due to right knee soreness. With Ayton sidelined, Jaxson Hayes is expected to draw another start, while Maxi Kleber should handle increased minutes off the bench. In his starts this campaign, Hayes has averaged 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Dallas has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, making this a favorable matchup for the Lakers' frontcourt.

5 days ago

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Listed as Questionable for Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is questionable for Thursday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. He could be out for the third time in four games due to a sore right knee. Ayton's absence would allow Jaxson Hayes to make another start, with Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme seeing additional minutes off the bench. As a starter, Hayes has managed 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. Dallas allows the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to centers, making this an attractive matchup for L.A.'s big men.

6 days ago

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Set to Return Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves (calf) will return from a one-game absence on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The team has not included Reaves on the injury report. Reaves is managing a calf injury and didn't play on Tuesday night against San Antonio when the Lakers completed a back-to-back. After returning from a calf strain, Reaves has been limited to 24.8 minutes per game across four outings. He has averaged 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. During Monday's matchup versus Oklahoma City, Reaves logged close to 30 minutes, which could be a sign he may soon be ready to handle his usual workload.

6 days ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Available Thursday Night

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, indicating he will return to the lineup. The veteran superstar sat out the second leg of a back-to-back against San Antonio on Tuesday. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) out, James has taken on more playmaking duties, finishing each of his last three appearances with a double-double. He is averaging 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.2 steals for the month.

6 days ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Won't Face Mavericks Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. He will skip the meeting with his former team due to a left hamstring strain. This will be Doncic's fourth consecutive absence. Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Kobe Bufkin have a chance to see more action with Doncic out of commission. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are responsible for keeping the Lakers' offense ticking.

6 days ago

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Ruled Out Tuesday

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday night's action against the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. Ayton was initially listed as questionable for the game. The Lakers will be extremely shorthanded for this matchup, with Luka Doncic (hamstring), LeBron James (foot), Austin Reaves (calf), and Marcus Smart (ankle) also out. Jaxson Hayes is set to take over the starting center role from Ayton, making his sixth start of the campaign. Previously, Hayes has averaged 10.6 points and 4.2 rebounds as a member of the first unit.

7 days ago

Marcus Smart • PG • Lakers

Marcus Smart Unavailable Against San Antonio

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports that Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (ankle) won't suit up against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Smart will get the evening off for right ankle soreness, maintenance. The 31-year-old veteran guard collected 19 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals during Monday's loss to OKC. LeBron James (foot), Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (calf) will sit out tonight as well, so Nick Smith Jr. and Kobe Bufkin could take on heavier workloads than usual.

7 days ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Out Against Spurs

On Tuesday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reports that Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will not play against the San Antonio Spurs. James will sit out the second leg of a back-to-back for injury maintenance after finishing with 22 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists in 36 minutes during Monday's loss to OKC. Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (calf), and Marcus Smart (ankle) will also be sidelined. With several key contributors out of action, the Lakers will be forced to rely heavily on their remaining rotation, creating additional usage opportunities for players like Luke Kennard and Dalton Knecht during tonight's matchup.

7 days ago

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Sidelined on Tuesday

According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (calf) will not play against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. The 27-year-old will sit out the back end of a back-to-back due to left calf injury management, with his next opportunity to return coming Thursday against the Mavericks. Luka Doncic (hamstring), LeBron James (foot), and Marcus Smart (ankle) are also expected to miss Tuesday's contest. As a result, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith, and Luke Kennard should be more involved in the rotation this evening.

7 days ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Out Tuesday Against the Spurs

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) will miss a third straight game on Tuesday night, when his team hosts the Spurs. Doncic is dealing with a mild hamstring strain, according to what coach JJ Redick said last Saturday. The star guard is averaging 32.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in 35 minutes per game in his 41 games this season. Without him, Austin Reaves and LeBron James will have to pick up more of the workload again on Tuesday night, while newcomer Luke Kennard and veteran Marcus Smart will likely get more work as well. Reaves just returned from an extended absence with a calf injury, so his availability will be key to watch for this Tuesday as well.

7 days ago

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Expected to Play Monday

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is listed as probable for Monday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ayton missed Saturday's win over Golden State due to a sore right knee and was labeled day-to-day by Lakers head coach JJ Redick. However, he appears on track to return against the defending champions. This is a rough spot for Ayton against Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Ayton managed only six points and five rebounds when these teams locked horns for the first time this season on Nov. 12. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber will lose minutes with Ayton's return.

Feb 8

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Ruled Out for Monday

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been listed as out for Monday's clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will miss a second consecutive game due to a left calf strain. After Saturday's win over Golden State, Lakers head coach JJ Redick labeled Doncic day-to-day, so he shouldn't be out for long. However, the Lakers have three games in four nights scheduled and will be cautious with Doncic to prevent any further injury. Without Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves have to do more on the offensive end, while Rui Hachimura joined the first unit on Saturday.

Feb 8

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Enters Day-To-Day Status with Knee Soreness

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is considered day-to-day after being held out of Saturday's win, with the team monitoring right knee soreness. His status for Monday is still up in the air, leaving the frontcourt unsettled. Jaxson Hayes is the next man up if Ayton sits and should continue starting, though his fantasy appeal is limited to rebounds and blocks. Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber would also absorb minutes, but both remain fringe options. Managers can hold Ayton for now, but it's smart to have a short-term backup ready.

Feb 8

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Deemed Day-To-Day with Hamstring Injury

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is dealing with a mild strain and was held out Saturday, leaving him day-to-day. With a back-to-back approaching, the Lakers are expected to monitor the issue closely, making his short-term availability uncertain. In the meantime, usage should shift elsewhere. Austin Reaves becomes the primary playmaking beneficiary, while Marcus Smart is in line for steadier ball-handling minutes. Jake LaRavia and newly acquired Luke Kennard could also see added wing run, with Kennard offering low-end three-point streaming appeal if the absence lingers.

Feb 8

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Exits Early with Hamstring Soreness

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) was limited to 16 minutes Thursday against Philadelphia before exiting with soreness in his left hamstring, prompting the team to schedule imaging to clarify his status. The Lakers are still determining whether this is an injury or a precautionary issue, but any missed time would significantly reshape the fantasy landscape. Doncic carries a massive 38.3 percent usage rate, and his absence would funnel offense toward Austin Reaves, who erupted for 35 points in relief, while Marcus Smart would see added ball-handling duties. Luke Kennard offers spacing and three-point shooting appeal if he is available immediately after the deadline deal that sent Gabe Vincent out.

Feb 6

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