If the Lakers are going to beat the Blazers, it’s going to be without their superstar Luka Dončić.
The Lakers have ruled Luka out for their game against Portland due to left groin soreness. Unfortunately, not only will LA’s backcourt depth be weakened, but their frontcourt options might be in even worse condition.
Starting center Deandre Ayton and backup big Jaxson Hayes are both listed as questionable.
Luka was listed as questionable for LA’s game against Atlanta. He was able to play, but the injury clearly remains an issue as he will miss the first leg of this weekend’s back-to-back because of it.
Dončić is leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 33.6 points per game, so making up for his absence will be a massive challenge for Los Angeles.
With Luka ruled out, LeBron James better pack his Superman cape for this trip to the Pacific Northwest. The NBA’s leading scorer will have to put up big numbers if the Lakers are going to pull out this road victory shorthanded.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that he hoped Hayes would play this weekend. He’s missed the last two games due to his left hamstring tendinopathy. Hayes getting upgraded to questionable is a positive sign for the backup center, but we’ll have to wait and see if he’ll actually play in Portland.
Hayes has played well for the Lakers and has even closed out games over Ayton in LA’s most recent tightly contested matchups.
While Hayes has been good, Ayton remains the Lakers’ starting center. Ayton has been relatively healthy this season, missing just four games. He missed a November game against the Heat with back spasms and another against the Clippers due to a right knee contusion.
Then, in December, Ayton missed a pair of games with left elbow soreness.
Hopefully, one or both of LA’s bigs are available for this game in Portland. If not, LA will have to rely on either Maxi Kleber, two-way center Drew Timme, or they’ll utilize Jarred Vanderbilt as a small-ball five.
While those options are possible, ideally, they can play their two best bigs instead.
But that might not be an option, so if necessary, the Lakers will be ready to play a bit shorthanded as they try to get back in the win column.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
