The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a marquee Saturday night matchup against the Golden State Warriors, but they’ll once again be doing it short-handed - a theme that’s become all too familiar this season.
Luka Dončić, who tweaked his hamstring in Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers, has officially been ruled out. The injury occurred late in the first half, and he didn’t return after halftime.
At the time of his exit, Dončić had already put up 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists in just 16 minutes - a reminder of just how efficient and impactful he’s been all season. Despite dealing with a string of injuries, he’s still leading the league in scoring at 33.4 points per game.
That’s not just elite production - that’s MVP-level stuff, and his absence leaves a massive void in the Lakers’ offense.
Also out for Saturday is rookie Adou Thiero, who continues to recover from a knee injury. The Lakers’ depth will be tested yet again, but there’s a potential silver lining: Luke Kennard might make his debut in purple and gold.
The Lakers finalized a trade with the Atlanta Hawks late Thursday night to bring in Kennard, a proven sharpshooter with one of the smoothest strokes in the league. He was officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, pending the completion of the trade, but if he suits up, he could provide an immediate boost to a team that could use more spacing and off-ball movement - especially with Dončić sidelined.
Head coach JJ Redick, speaking after the Sixers game, didn’t hold back in his praise for what Kennard brings to the table.
“He’s one of the best shooters in the NBA,” Redick said. “I’m going to highly encourage him to shoot more and not turn down shots.”
But Redick also emphasized that Kennard’s value goes beyond his shooting. “One of the underrated parts of his game is his ability to move and create second actions and move the basketball,” he added. “You’ve seen that now at a number of his stops, where you can initiate the offense through off-ball movement, and he will make the right play and sort of get the offense going.”
In a system that’s still evolving under Redick’s direction, Kennard’s ability to be both a corner threat and a connector could be a real asset. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot guy - he understands how to keep the offense flowing, and that’s something the Lakers have been trying to build more consistency around.
The Lakers are currently sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference at 31-19, riding a two-game win streak and in the midst of a five-game homestand as the All-Star break approaches. Every game matters in the tightly packed West, and while the loss of Dončić is significant, the potential addition of Kennard - and what he can bring to the floor - gives this team another wrinkle to work with.
Saturday’s clash with the Warriors will be a test of adaptability, depth, and execution. And if Kennard is able to suit up, it’ll be our first look at how his shooting and savvy might fit into the Lakers’ evolving identity.