Lakers Down Entire Starting Five in Brutal Injury Stretch Ahead of Spurs Matchup
The Lakers walked into tonight’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs already shorthanded - and then things got worse. Deandre Ayton, who had been listed as questionable with right knee soreness, was ruled out just hours before tip-off. That decision leaves Los Angeles without its entire starting lineup, a staggering blow for a team already navigating a tough stretch of the season.
Ayton now joins a growing injury list that includes LeBron James (left foot arthritis), Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain), Austin Reaves (left calf injury management), and Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness). That’s five starters, all sidelined. For a team still trying to find its rhythm, that’s not just a bump in the road - it’s a full-blown detour.
Meanwhile, the Spurs come in relatively healthy, with only Lindy Waters III ruled out due to a left knee hyperextension. That contrast in availability only widens the gap between the two squads heading into the game.
Ayton’s late scratch stung especially hard. There was some optimism earlier in the day that he might suit up, offering the Lakers a much-needed interior presence and scoring punch. But with his knee still not right, the team opted for caution - a decision that makes sense long-term, but certainly complicates the short-term outlook.
This latest setback comes on the heels of a missed opportunity. Just yesterday, the Lakers couldn’t capitalize on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence in a winnable game. Now, down half their rotation, they’re staring down the barrel of another potential loss - one that could drop them into a tie with the Timberwolves for the sixth seed in the West.
And it doesn’t get easier from here. On Thursday, they face the Mavericks in their final game before the All-Star break - a team that’s been surging and could present serious matchup problems, especially if the Lakers remain this depleted.
Here’s the silver lining: none of the injuries are considered long-term. The team expects several players to return soon, and the upcoming All-Star break couldn’t be arriving at a better time. It offers a built-in recovery window that could help reset the roster for the second half of the season.
At 32-20 and 6-4 over their last 10 games, the Lakers haven’t exactly stumbled, but this season hasn’t been the smooth ride many had hoped for. With the franchise transitioning toward a new era - and potentially a new face of the team - there’s been a fair share of growing pains. That’s part of the process, especially when trying to balance development, health, and postseason positioning all at once.
For GM Rob Pelinka and the front office, the strategy right now appears to be patience. They’re holding out for the right moment to make a significant move, rather than forcing something prematurely. That means, for now, the focus is on internal stability - keeping this group intact, getting healthy, and managing minutes wisely.
It’s not ideal, but it’s calculated. If the Lakers can weather this storm and come out of the break healthy, they’re still very much in the mix. But for tonight, they’ll have to dig deep - and lean on their depth - to avoid slipping further down the Western Conference standings.