Luka Doncic stays steady as James rehabs sciatica in Los Angeles

LeBron James is expected to miss the commencement of the play portion helium recovers from sciatica connected his close side. The Los Angeles Lakers’ different star, Luka Doncic, says helium volition not pursuit bigger numbers to capable the gap. “I don’t presumption it that way,” helium said aft signifier Saturday. “I conscionable privation to play basketball. If I bash less, if I bash more, immoderate it takes for maine to get a win.”

L.A. is 0–2 successful the preseason aft losses to the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. The Lakers big the Warriors connected Sunday, the archetypal of 3 exhibitions successful 4 days, with trips to Phoenix connected Tuesday and a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks successful Las Vegas connected Wednesday. Coach JJ Redick said it is inactive to beryllium determined if Doncic volition play Sunday and added helium expects him successful 2 of the last 4 preseason games.

Redick weighs lineups and minutes

James is slated to beryllium retired 3 to 4 weeks earlier a recheck. “You anticipation that he’s backmost soon,” Redick said. “Those things tin beryllium tricky. … It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be, that’s the reality, until helium is back. We’ll person to fig that out.”

Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton are locked into 3 starting spots. Redick is evaluating the different 2 from a radical that includes Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and free-agent additions Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart. Smart, sidelined aboriginal with Achilles tendinopathy, volition play against Golden State, according to Redick.

Doncic trained with Slovenia astatine EuroBasket this summertime and had a reduced workload this week to negociate deterioration and tear. “Playing 1 period oregon thing of hoops [for Slovenia],” helium said. “Obviously it’s a agelong play ahead.”

For now, James’ dependable volition transportation from the bench. “It’s a large change,” Doncic said. “He’s a large player. He tin assistance america a lot. However, our mentality needs to beryllium ‘next antheral up.’ … Hopefully LeBron tin articulation america arsenic soon arsenic possible.”