The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to stay above water at the start of the 2025-26 season with their two superstars out of action. In their absence, a handful of players are getting opportunities to show what they can do in an expanded role,

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James teased teammate Luka Doncic after he missed out on a 50-point game. During Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwo

With Dončić sidelined due to injury along with almost 60% of the total Laker payroll against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Austin Reaves exploded for the best game of his career: 51 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and a badly-needed 127-120 victory with Dončić set to miss at least a week.

Is LeBron James making season debut with depleted Lakers tonight vs. Trail Blazers? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While no NBA team—and certainly not one with a legacy as rich as the Los Angeles Lakers'—hangs a banner for a 2-1 start, the Purple and Gold should be generally pleased with how they've opened the new campaign.

The Lakers were without their two superstars, Luka Dončić and LeBron James, on Sunday night, but Reaves put the team on his back and led them to a 127–120 victory over the Kings. With Dončić missing time due to a sprained finger and lower leg contusion and James out because of sciatica, Reaves scored a career-high 51 points to help earn the win.