The Los Angeles Lakers are back on their home floor Sunday night, hosting the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena after a quick turnaround from Saturday’s road loss in Portland. With the team riding a two-game skid, the focus shifts not just to bouncing back, but to who will actually be on the floor-namely, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, both listed as questionable heading into the matchup.
Let’s start with LeBron. The 41-year-old continues to defy time, but the wear and tear is undeniable.
He’s officially questionable due to left foot joint arthritis and right-sided sciatica-ailments that have been recurring throughout the season. Still, that didn’t stop him from logging 32 minutes against the Trail Blazers just last night.
In that game, he put up 20 points on 6-of-16 shooting, while adding nine rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and a steal. Not bad for a guy in the second half of a back-to-back, battling through chronic issues most players wouldn’t even suit up with.
This is the reality of having a generational star in the twilight of his career. Every game is a balancing act between preserving his health and maximizing his impact.
And while he’s been a regular on the injury report, he’s also been a consistent presence on the court-averaging 22.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game on 50.8% shooting. Whether or not he plays tonight, the Lakers will be cautious.
But if he’s out there, expect him to compete at a high level, as always.
Then there’s Luka Doncic. The 26-year-old guard missed Saturday’s game in Portland with a lingering groin issue and remains questionable for tonight.
The last time we saw him on the court, he dropped 39 points on 15-of-26 shooting in a win over the Hornets, adding four assists and three rebounds in 36 minutes. That’s been par for the course this season-Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 47% from the field.
Doncic’s availability will likely be a game-time decision, but his absence was clearly felt in Portland. The Lakers lacked their usual offensive rhythm without his playmaking and shot creation. If he can go tonight, it could be a major boost against a Raptors team that’s still figuring out its identity.
As for the rest of the injury report, Austin Reaves remains sidelined with a calf issue, and Adou Thiero is out with a knee injury. On the Raptors' side, RJ Barrett (ankle), Jakob Poeltl (back), Ja’Kobe Walter (hip), and Chucky Hepburn (two-way status) are all out. Immanuel Quickley is questionable with a back issue, while Jamison Battle is probable with an ankle injury.
Bottom line: the Lakers are in need of a win, and whether they get it may hinge on the availability of their two stars. LeBron and Luka are both questionable, but if either-or both-can suit up, it changes the equation entirely. Stay tuned.