With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and multiple rotation players sidelined, JJ Redick’s Lakers fell to Portland while Austin Reaves exploded for 41 points. Redick hopes Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes return soon as injuries mount and Reaves continues his breakout start. Before the Los Angeles Lakers’ 108–122 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back, it was already clear that the team was severely depleted — missing stars accounting for over $130 million of their $195 million payroll.
With both LeBron James and Luka Doncic expected to remain sidelined for at least another week, head coach JJ Redick addressed the growing list of injuries and his team’s challenge of competing without its top talent.
Following the loss, Redick said he remains “hopeful” that Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes could return for the upcoming road trip.
“We’ll see,” Redick added, noting that their availability would be evaluated before Wednesday’s game in Minnesota against the Timberwolves, followed by a Friday matchup in Memphis against the Grizzlies. The head coach didn’t sugarcoat the team’s current situation.
“It’s hard to run offense without ball handlers,” Redick admitted in a candid postgame assessment.
Earlier this week, Redick expressed optimism about using Gabe Vincent as a secondary ball handler alongside Austin Reaves — a plan that fell apart when Vincent rolled his ankle during the Trail Blazers game. An MRI revealed a moderate sprain, sidelining the veteran guard for two to four weeks. He was later seen wearing a walking boot.
That leaves Austin Reaves as the Lakers’ primary offensive engine. The 27-year-old guard has responded with an impressive early-season surge, scoring 41 points against Portland and averaging 35.8 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.8 rebounds through the first four games. He’s shooting 57.3% from the field and 42.9% from three, tying Elgin Baylor (1962–63) for the third-most points through four games in franchise history.
Meanwhile, LeBron James is projected to remain out until mid-November, while Luka Doncic will be reevaluated after Friday’s game in Memphis. Other missing contributors include Maxi Kleber and rookie Adou Thiero, leaving the rotation thin and heavily reliant on role players.
For Lakers fans, the growing injury list is cause for concern — but perhaps not panic. The team still has 78 games left in the season, and this stretch could prove valuable for Reaves’ development. With James and Doncic expected to return, the silver lining may be that Reaves is building the confidence to emerge as a legitimate third scoring option when the Lakers are finally healthy again.
