
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a win against the New Orleans Pelicans and will now face the Milwaukee Bucks in the final leg of their road trip.
The Lakers secured a 118-104 victory in Emirates NBA Cup action, improving to a 9-4 record on the season and bouncing back after a tough loss to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Los Angeles has had shift things up, with Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart both late scratches . The Lakers will be starting Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Bronny James along the perimeter, along with Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton in the front court.
Lakers’ starters vs. Milwaukee:
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) November 16, 2025
Luka Doncic
Austin Reaves
Bronny James Jr.
Jake LaRavia
Deandre Ayton
When healthy, this has been JJ Redick's default starting line-up, at least until LeBron James comes back. Then, the coach will need to decide whether to drop Smart or Hachimura from the starting unit.
The Bucks are starting Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and Kyle Kuzma. Normally, Milwaukee would bench Rollins and start Kevin Porter Jr., but injuries are forcing the young guard to step up.
Tonight's starters. pic.twitter.com/ltuqTxHyh9
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 16, 2025
They just hosted the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum, going into overtime, and now the Bucks need to turn around quickly and prepare for the Lakers for a home back-to-back.
The Bucks won 147-134, dominating 18-5 in overtime for their seventh victory of the season.
Redick is hoping to get his team back on the winning track after two losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Thunder which have the head coach downtroten.
“I think you have to look big picture then you have to look where your team is at right now,” Redick said after the Thunder game.
“I don’t think it’s been a great road trip for us in terms of how we’ve played. Second half against Charlotte, I liked everything that I saw.
"But the Atlanta game and tonight I don’t think are reflective of who the group is going to be but it clearly is who the group is right now and so we’ve got to course correct.”
The Lakers get two days off after the Bucks game, giving the team a good deal of rest before their game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
By then, Redick will hope to feel better about his team.
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