Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has suffered a left finger injury and a lower left leg injury, which will see him miss at least one week, with the potential to miss more.
Lakers' Luka Doncic is out for at least one week with a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 26, 2025
After starting the season on fire for the Lakers, Doncic will now be sidelined for some time, which can have a huge effect on the Lakers' season, especially with star LeBron James already ruled out for an extended period of time.
What does this mean for the Lakers?
In a loaded Western Conference, every game is important. As seen last year, there were only two wins that separated the third seed from the eighth seed in the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers' missing their top two stars will mean that their role players will have to step up. This all starts with their star guard, Austin Reaves. Reaves will now have to carry the usage of the Lakers' offence, which he has shown he isn't shy of doing.
Reaves averaged 28 points and eight assists when James and Doncic didn't play, and the Lakers are going to need this input to stay afloat.
It isn't just Reaves who will need to step up; recruit DeAndre Ayton will have to be one that they can rely on to score. We have seen him have some big games in the past, but can he do it for a consistent period?
They are also going to need impact from Rui Hachimuara, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent and more.
Over the next week, the Lakers will face some tough opponents in the Blazers, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Miami.
In this short period without Doncic and James, it could impact where they finish at the end of the year. Especially given that the Lakers are set to embark on a long and tough road trip.
