The Los Angeles Lakers’ early schedule has already turned grueling. Monday’s 2-2 start against the Portland Trail Blazers looked less like a slow build and more like survival mode. Playing shorthanded, the Lakers fell 108–103 despite another massive night from Austin Reaves, who followed up a 51-point explosion against Sacramento with 41 more against Portland.
The bigger story, however, was who wasn’t playing. Luka Dončić, the Lakers’ newly crowned franchise cornerstone, sat out with a left finger sprain and lower leg contusion — the latest blow to a roster already gutted by injuries. Cameras caught Dončić on the bench showing Reaves the state of his finger, prompting a stunned, now-viral reaction from his teammate. Fans could only hope Reaves’ expression was more dramatic than the actual diagnosis.
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Luka Doncic’s Electric Start Halted by Injury
AR says “Oh shit” when Luka shows him his palm or finger? 😳 pic.twitter.com/Fs4Kuk2KFj
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) October 28, 2025
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Before the injury, Dončić looked every bit the MVP candidate Los Angeles envisioned when pairing him with LeBron James. The 26-year-old opened the season with back-to-back 40-point outings — 43 in the opener against Golden State, then 49 versus Minnesota — showcasing his signature combination of strength, finesse, and control.
His absence now looms large. The Lakers are still waiting for both Dončić and James to take the floor together, something not expected until mid-November as James continues recovering from his own injury setback. Head coach JJ Redick suddenly finds himself leaning heavily on Reaves, who has become the focal point of the offense by necessity.
Reaves Rising, But Lakers Running Thin
Reaves’ recent performances have been a silver lining. His poise and confidence as a primary scorer have silenced any doubts about his ability to handle the load. Still, the Lakers’ depth issues are undeniable — seven players were unavailable Monday, including Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, Marcus Smart, and rookie Adou Thiero.
For now, Los Angeles will take a 2-2 record given the circumstances, but their margin for error is slim. The Lakers next face the Timberwolves — again without Dončić and without Anthony Edwards on Minnesota’s side — hoping to find some momentum before reinforcements return.
It’s early, but the challenge is clear: Reaves can keep LA afloat for a while, yet their ceiling still hinges on the health of Dončić and James.
