Following the Lakers‘ season opener against the Warriors on Tuesday, star guard Luka Doncic required treatment in the training room on the inside of his right leg, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. However, Doncic, who played a team-high 41 minutes in the first game of the season, downplayed the issue.
“It’s probably nothing,” Doncic said. “Just felt it a little bit because my hip went [the opposite] way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”
Head coach JJ Redick also didn’t seem overly concerned about the potential injury when he spoke to reporters on Wednesday.
“He seems to be fine. I don’t think it’s anything major,” Redick said. “He got some treatment this morning and we didn’t practice long, but he was a participant in practice.”
Doncic scored 43 points to go along with 12 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ loss to the Warriors. As McMenamin notes, the team now has two days of recovery time before its second game of the season on Friday against Minnesota.
We have more from the Lakers:
- While the Lakers showed some promise in Tuesday’s loss, the performance also showed the team’s desperate need for LeBron James, writes Dan Woike for The Athletic. “I’ll be honest with you, I did have one moment in that first half when we had a few possessions, couldn’t score against the zone, I (thought), ‘That’d be great to have LeBron just to throw it to the high post,’” Redick said. While James was unable to help on the court, he’s already helping off the court, writes McMenamin. According to Redick, LeBron was a vocal and helpful presence during the team’s post-game film session. “[James] asking questions, him giving his input, us having a back-and-forth is so healthy,” Redick said.
- Gabe Vincent was something of a forgotten man coming into this season, but after a strong preseason, he’s seeing his optimism and hard work pay off, writes Woike. “They’ll get everything I have to offer,” Vincent said. “I’ll be pouring everything into it because I’m trying to win.” Redick said he wished he had a team full of Vincents, though he went on to add, “I think everybody does possess those qualities; otherwise they wouldn’t be a Laker. The difference is he’s the most consistent in bringing those qualities every single time.”
- Tuesday’s loss was only one game, but it was enough to raise concerns, writes Bill Plaschke for the Los Angeles Times. The team showed its lack of depth, Plaschke writes, exemplified by questionable debuts from Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. L.A. also had 20 turnovers and 11 missed free throws. “Not being organized in early offense,” Redick said, listing the problem areas. “Having the wrong guy bring it up. Not sprinting back. We make a run, we got two guys back, Buddy Hield gets a wide-open three for some reason on a full-court pass. Those are self-inflicted things. So it’s not anything Golden State did to us.” He went on to say that while having James available would help, what’s even more important is for the role players to play like stars in their roles.
The Lakers are not real contenders. If you absolutely need a 41 year old to win with any regularity you’re in trouble.
I mean the Lakers made the Finals with 41 year old Kareem as the starting C, and won the title with 40 year old Kareem as the starting C.
In case you wanted any more evidence that Kareem > Lebron
I didn’t note any backlash a couple weeks ago when I confirmed Brawny Sensation is somewhere in the #7-10 range for all-time greats, Davey J. If anything, I say he drops over the next decade or two. I also like Skap Attack’s recent Top 10 List on You Tube – not surprisingly, no BS among his 10. I’m torn though about whether Wilt is higher than Brawny; I think if I had to right now, I’d give the slight edge to Brawny.
Wilt scored 100 points in a game and totally redesigned the game for every other big for decades to come. He is absolutely higher on the all-timer list than Bron. I agree, in 10 years, Bron is likely 6-10 range, especially with Wemby (if he stays healthy) and potentially Jokic joining the top 10 all-time.
In 10 years time, this list will be clear:
1. Steph
2. Wilt
3. Wemby
4. MJ
5. Shaq
6. Kareem
7. Duncan
8. Bron
9. Kobe
10. Magic or Jokic or KD or Hakeem or Dirk
I saw the opposite of promise but we all kinda saw this preseason if we were being honest
No Luka Ayton chemistry
Can’t beat a standard Hs zone
Missing defensive assignments
Vanderbilt’s brain furthering cratering
No offensive game plan whatsoever
Reavers put in the offensive 2k work for the bag but shows zero interest in playing D this year
Smarts a net negative
Zero chemistry fueled by a buncha individual redemption projects / bag getting goals taking center stage
I don’t see the light at the end of ( this ) tunnel for this year – Sell sell sell come Xmas
Capn Crunch: that’s a pretty damn thorough and accurate synopsis of the state of the Lakers. I agree with every one. A couple of those (defensive assignments, can’t beat a zone, very little offensive gameplan) fall squarely at Redick’s feet.
Strangely, I thought they had a good looking offense to start the season last year, very egalitarian, player movement based, and then somehow with the AD/Luka trade, Redick’s lizard brain took over and he’s been mostly bluster and false confidence/cockiness
Agree w last year
I think ADs gravity probably was floating that boat tho
I haven’t been impressed. W anything Jj has done w the offense. Yet in his tenure
If anything I give props to the defense of ladt year that punched above weight ( again probably Ad )
Luka already breaking down. It’s gonna be a LONG year Lakers fans and the Mavs are gonna finish higher.
Lol, the Mavs got their butts handed to them by the spurs.
Cooper Flagg as the point looks like a bad experiment for his and the teams short term production. Somebody should be setting him up. Putting him strictly on ball removes so many easy basket opportunities.
That starting lineup desperately needs a table setter. I see dlo moving into the starting unit within 15 games
When you have to settle for Ayton just because the entire league knows he isn’t very good and then he plays 34 minutes and grabs a whopping six rebounds you know that Pelinka doesn’t deserve his job.
It was one whole game you dorks.
I do like the Lakers but am a LeBron hater but IMO he must win a championship this season to save his legacy
Ayton has to play better. Nobody stepped up for the scoring load. With no Bron. Lakers missing players. And its one game. Warriors looked good. Good to JK get mins.
Gave Vincent is one of the worst regulars in the NBA. Period. No defense, no offense, no playmaking, too small.
LAL already getting the Ayton experience. Looking to shoot jumpers and not rolling; collecting only 4 defensive rebounds in 34 minutes while being 5 inches taller than the opponent’s tallest starter; avoiding contact = only 2 FTs taken; the body language.
Lakers shot 60% from the free throw line and the Warriors 90%. There was an eight point disparity there as they shot the same amount of free throws.
The Warriors shot 43% from the 3 point like, while the Lakers shot 25%.
Yes, the Lakers have things to clean up, but this was a fluke shooting night where the Warriors shot better than their averages from the 3 point line and free throws , and the Lakers well below. It will be just fine!
The Clippers lost to the Jazz by 26 points l, and Dallas lost to the Spurs by nearly 30. The Lakers have things to clean up but they certainly look much better than the Clippers and Mavs already.
Its one game lol. Let the season go 20 gms minimum. Then you will start to see real trends.
Clippers looked OLD. And for everyone saying Lakers are getting what the rest of the league didn’t want in Ayton … Well, let’s not act like teams have been kicking down the door for Brad Beal the past 4-5 years. I’m not sure he’s even better than Norman Powell at this point