The Lakers have found something under Luka Doncic that James Worthy says they never quite had with LeBron James: real depth.
That’s the big reason Los Angeles has looked so sharp at 10-2, with Doncic stacking up new milestones almost every night as the work he put in during the preseason starts to show. Austin Reaves has also made a major jump, while Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton have settled in as dependable pieces.
The latest reminder came against the Hawks, when Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered 23 points and hit 5/8 from 3-point range. It was another example of how many different players can swing a game for this group.
Worthy, speaking on Spectrum SportsNet, pointed straight to that variety as the difference-maker.
He said: “The beauty of this team is that they have different guys that can impact the game at certain times. There were minutes where Sexton had big moments, then Williams’ defence. For the first time in a long time, we’re deep.
“We have a deep team, different guys we can call on. We’re unpredictable, with guys who can get the job done in different areas. That makes us a stronger unit.”
That’s a very different kind of Lakers team than the one built around James and Anthony Davis. Los Angeles won with James, but the roster construction was often shaped by the need to fit around those two stars.
Now, with James and Davis gone, the Lakers have built a group around Doncic that looks more balanced and, in Worthy’s view, more sustainable. Reaves has thrived with the extra responsibility, and the roster has a clear structure: one superstar, a rising No. 2, and a supporting cast that can fill specific jobs.
It doesn’t read as a knock on James, who brought a championship to Los Angeles. But it does suggest this version of the Lakers has a different kind of edge - and, as Worthy sees it, a better one.
In Other News...
Lakers Suddenly Have One Big Concern Hanging Over This Win
The Lakers got the result they wanted against Milwaukee, but the bigger storyline came from the injury report rather than the final score. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic both left the game after awkward moments on the floor, turning a strong win into a night that carried a little more anxiety than the box score suggested.
Reaves was ruled out for the rest of the game after a left heel injury, and his status now adds a fresh layer of concern for a team that can ill afford to lose another rotation piece. Doncic also rolled his right ankle, though he later said he was fine, leaving the Lakers to wait on the more pressing update and see how the next stretch of the schedule looks with the medical staff taking a closer look. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Fans Finally Got Clarity On Luka Doncics Injury Scare
Luka Doncic gave the Lakers a brief scare in Milwaukee when he came up awkwardly after a stepback jumper and appeared to favor his ankle. For a team still trying to settle in on the road trip, any hint of trouble with its newest star can tighten the mood fast, especially with another game looming and little margin for error in the standings.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, the early read on the injury was encouraging. Doncic said he is good, and JJ Redick described it as only a slight tweak, which should ease concerns as the Lakers move on to face the Phoenix Suns next. For now, it looks like the team avoided a more serious setback, and that is the kind of update Lakers fans were hoping to hear. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Win Streak Comes With Two Injury Scares Fans Will Watch
The Lakers kept rolling with a seventh straight win over the Milwaukee Bucks, but the night came with a couple of injury moments that will linger a little longer than the final score. Austin Reaves left with a left heel injury, while Luka Doncic also had an ankle issue during the game, giving a winning stretch a brief scare as the team heads into a few days of rest.
JJ Redick eased one concern by saying Reaves issue is not believed to involve the Achilles, and Doncic later indicated he expects to be fine after tweaking his ankle. With three days off before the next game against the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers have a little breathing room, though the health of both players will be worth watching as the streak continues to build. [Read more 🡒]