The headliner is back on the call sheet: Doncic, held out of Wednesday's win at the Clippers with a back injury, was cleared on Oct. 30. He walks into Golden State's building tonight with the Lakers at 4-1 and fourth in the conference.
The Lead Returns
Doncic went from out on Oct. 28 to an upgrade on Oct. 29 to cleared on Friday. Before the scare, he scored 52 with 10 assists at Utah on Oct. 25 and 41 in the 136-129 loss to Portland two nights later. The supporting cast proved it could carry a night without him: Quentin Grimes scored 23 and Collin Sexton 21 in the 103-87 win over the Clippers. Ziaire Williams (foot) carries an estimated return date of tonight, while Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero are targeted for Nov. 1.
A Thinned-Out Rival
Steve Kerr's Warriors are 2-3 but have won two straight. They will be without Jimmy Butler III, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody, and Gui Santos carries a left knee issue. Stephen Curry has scored 28.8 a game over four appearances, and Yaxel Lendeborg is posting 22.6 points with 9.2 boards. Lakers Nation reported that Lendeborg is looking forward to a rematch with Doncic. The Lakers won the first meeting 127-105 on Oct. 21.
Number and Question
The number is 112.3, the Lakers' defensive rating, against Golden State's 117.8. JJ Redick's group is winning on both ends, not just on its star's scoring. The question is how Redick folds his best player back into a rotation that just held the Clippers to 87. Lakers Nation reported that Redick likes pairing Jarred Vanderbilt with Sandro Mamukelashvili, and that bench unit has earned its minutes. After tonight come Toronto on Nov. 1 and Miami on Nov. 2, both at home, then a trip to Sacramento on Nov. 4.
Is Luka Doncic playing against the Warriors on Oct. 30?
He was cleared on Oct. 30 after missing the Oct. 28 win over the Clippers with a back injury.
How can I watch Lakers vs. Warriors tonight?
The game airs on Prime Video. It is an Emirates NBA Cup game in Golden State.
