The week opens without its leading man: Doncic is listed out with a back injury for Wednesday's trip to the Clippers, one night after his 41 points could not hold off Portland. Austin Reaves inherits the marquee for five games in eight days, with four Lakers out and all four carrying an estimated return of Oct. 30.
The Crosstown Rerun
Wednesday's game at the Clippers is a sequel to the 125-117 win on Oct. 23, when Reaves led with 28 and Doncic added 23. This time the cast is thinner. Doncic (back), Ziaire Williams (foot), Cameron Carr (oblique) and Adou Thiero (knee) are all out. Williams scored 7 of the Lakers' points in the final quarter against Portland, more than any teammate. Sandro Mamukelashvili, 17 points on 3-of-4 from deep in that loss, is the obvious candidate for more minutes. The schedule favors the hosts: the Clippers had three days of rest, while the Lakers had one and have played three games in seven days. Tyronn Lue's team is 1-2 and has lost two straight. Its injury list is long too, with Rui Hachimura, Max Strus, Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Jordan Miller all out. Darius Garland is averaging 24.0 points and Brook Lopez 18.0.
A Cup Night Up North
Friday at Golden State, on Prime Video, is an Emirates NBA Cup game and the date the four injured Lakers are aiming for. It is the opponent that matters most this week. The Lakers opened the season by beating the Warriors 127-105, but Portland just scored 136 on them. Lakers Nation reported that JJ Redick said the defense got broken down and that Walker Kessler took responsibility. The Los Angeles Times wrote that the Lakers stress they need championship defense. A Cup game against a division rival is where that talk gets tested.
Home Stand, Then Sacramento
The Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena for a back-to-back: Toronto on Nov. 1 and Miami on Nov. 2. Silver Screen and Roll reported that Kawhi Leonard will miss the Raptors game against the Lakers with knee swelling. The week closes Nov. 4 at Sacramento. In between, the end of the bench changed: Hoops Rumors and Lakers Nation reported that the Lakers signed Lawson Lovering to a two-way deal and waived AK Okereke. At 3-1 and seeded fifth, Redick's team can afford a short night without its star. Five games in eight days will show how much this roster holds up without him.
Is Luka Doncic playing against the Clippers on Oct. 28?
No. He is listed out with a back injury, with an estimated return of Oct. 30 at Golden State.
When do the Lakers play a back-to-back this week?
On Nov. 1 against the Raptors and Nov. 2 against the Heat, both at home.
