The Lakers left Milwaukee with a win, but the bigger story came after the final buzzer.
Los Angeles handled the Bucks 123-112 on the road for its 11th victory in 13 games, yet the second half brought a pair of injury scares involving Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Reaves was forced out with a heel injury, while Doncic was removed after landing awkwardly and stepping on Kyle Kuzma's foot on an and-one jumpshot. With the game already under control, the Lakers pulled Doncic for precautionary reasons.
Afterward, head coach JJ Redick offered the first read on both situations. Reaves had already gone for an X-ray, and it came back negative. Dave McMenamin of ESPN also reported that the Lakers have no concern that the injury Reaves sustained is in his Achilles.
Redick said there is not a concern about Reaves’ injury being his Achilles. https://t.co/F1fh2eQRUa
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 12, 2026
Redick was also optimistic on Doncic, saying the Lakers star “will be fine” and that he only suffered a “slight tweak”.
The timing helps. Los Angeles does not play again until Sunday, giving both players three days to recover before the team takes the floor again. The Lakers are in the middle of a four-game road trip that wraps up in Phoenix, and then they’ll return home for a four-game homestand to open next week.
JJ Redick on Luka Doncic (ankle):
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 12, 2026
"I think (he's) fine. Just a light tweak." https://t.co/3xUkNzCrFX
That schedule could give the Lakers some room to be careful if needed, especially with the season still young. So far, they have already been sitting out at least one of Doncic or Reaves in one half of a back-to-back, a sign they seem intent on protecting both guards after last season’s injuries hit at the worst possible time.
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Lakers Rookie Suddenly Looks Like A Real Fit Next To Luka And Reaves
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For now, Kaluma is expected to do most of his development work with the Coachella Valley Lakers while remaining on call for the NBA club, which is exactly the kind of path a young player has to embrace in a crowded system. He has not played in a regular-season game yet, but the early signs suggest the Lakers see a useful blend of energy and adaptability, the sort of profile that can matter when a team is trying to build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. [Read more 🡒]
Bronny James Is Facing A Lakers Decision Fans Never Expected
The Lakers strong start has not stopped the conversation around the back end of the roster, where every minute and every mistake is getting magnified. NBA insider Jovan Buha recently raised the question of whether Bronny James should keep his spot, pointing to the guards limited production and the uneven play that has drawn criticism from some of the teams reserves in late-game situations.
Los Angeles has opened 11-2, so the focus has shifted from survival to fit, and that is where the discussion gets uncomfortable. Buha argued the Lakers could use a steadier ball-handler, which is why the idea of bringing in a more established veteran has entered the conversation while James remains under the microscope for what he has, and has not, provided so far. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Hot Start Puts One More Defense-First Move In Focus
The Lakers strong start has only sharpened the focus on how they want to build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and defense remains the clearest priority. With the team already leaning into a more balanced identity, any move that adds a versatile stopper naturally gets attention, especially when it could help shore up the kind of perimeter resistance that matters most in the West.
One name now circulating in that conversation is Derrick Jones Jr., a familiar face to Doncic from their run together in the 2024 Finals. The Clippers could be willing to listen if Jones wants a change of scenery, which gives the Lakers a potential opening if they decide the fit is worth pursuing, and it is easy to see why a defender with that kind of athletic profile would appeal to a team trying to keep its early momentum going. [Read more 🡒]