The Los Angeles Lakers will enter a challenging early-season stretch without their superstar guard. Doncic sustained a sprained left finger and a contusion on his lower left leg during Friday’s victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, an outing where he erupted for 49 points and steered Los Angeles to a statement win.

According to team reports, Doncic has been ruled out for at least one week, a blow compounded by LeBron James’s continued absence with a sciatica issue.

The guard is set to be reevaluated next week, but the Lakers must now navigate pivotal matchups against the Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Heat without their top scorer.​

Lakers Depth To Be Tested

Doncic’s injury comes at a time when he was producing historic numbers. In his first two games as a Laker, he broke a franchise record with a combined 92 points, besting a long-standing mark set by Jerry West, while also racking up double-digit rebounds and assists.

With the team’s offense built around his dynamic playmaking, the Lakers will look to Marcus Smart, who steps into the starting lineup, and Austin Reaves to absorb increased scoring and ball-handling duties. Smart brings defensive pedigree, but replicating Doncic’s offensive impact is a tall order for any replacement.​

The injuries to both Doncic and James place added pressure on younger role players like Reaves, Jake LaRavia, and Dalton Knecht. All will need to contribute immediately as the Lakers aim to weather the storm in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.​

Timeline For Recovery and Playoff Implications

Team sources indicate optimism that Doncic’s absence will not extend much beyond the initial timeline, and that he could be reactivated as early as next Sunday when the Lakers face Miami.

However, any setback or lingering problems could quickly evolve into a season-defining crisis for a squad with legitimate postseason aspirations. For now, Los Angeles must survive its toughest stretch shorthanded, hoping their depth and resilience can carry them until their leader returns.​

With two All-NBA players out, the next week presents a crucial test for Los Angeles, both on the scoreboard and in building chemistry for the long NBA journey ahead.