UPDATE: Luka Doncic will make his highly anticipated preseason debut tomorrow, October 10, 2023, when the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Phoenix Suns on the road. Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed the news today, marking a crucial moment for the team as they navigate their early preseason struggles.
Doncic, who sat out the first three games as the Lakers began the preseason with a 1-2 record, is returning after a demanding stint with the Slovenian national team during EuroBasket. The Lakers are keen to manage the 26-year-old star’s workload effectively, especially as they prepare for the regular season.
After facing the Suns, the Lakers will close out their six-game preseason schedule with two more games: a matchup against Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in Las Vegas on October 11, and a home game against the Sacramento Kings on October 13. Redick indicated that Doncic is also expected to participate in one of these games, with a probable preference for the Kings match given the scheduling challenges of a back-to-back.
“I would say there will most likely be a ramp-up from Game 1 to Game 2 in Luka’s minutes,” Redick stated, emphasizing a cautious approach regarding Doncic’s playing time in Phoenix.
In addition to Doncic, Marcus Smart will make his Lakers debut against the Suns, providing a significant boost to the team. Austin Reaves is also confirmed to play, further solidifying the Lakers’ lineup as they gear up for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors in just over a week.
LeBron James remains sidelined for at least two to three weeks due to sciatica, complicating the Lakers’ lineup considerations. Redick acknowledged the challenge of balancing team dynamics without their star player, stating, “You want to put your five best players on the court as much as possible. You also want to have balance with every lineup.”
As the Lakers prepare for tomorrow’s game, all eyes will be on Doncic to see how he integrates back into the team. With the regular season looming, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Lakers adapt and evolve in the absence of LeBron and the addition of new talent.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops!