Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) and Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) vie for the ball during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images William Liang-Imagn Images

Lakers’ Jake LaRavia Reveals Why It’s Hard Playing With Luka Doncic

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ricardo Klein | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 7:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a solid start to their 2025-26 campaign.

The Lakers are coming off a great weekend, going 2-0, including a big-time NBA Cup win on Friday over the Memphis Grizzlies. LA will seek its second NBA Cup title in three seasons, and they are off to a great start on that front.

Friday's match against the Grizlzies was a struggle, especially at the end of the first half. However, the Lakers leaned on their superstar guard Luka Doncic, who led them to victory.

More news: Lakers’ Luka Doncic Sends Message to Dodgers After World Series Win

Doncic was incredible on Friday, his first game back after finger and leg injuries. While it was his first game back, you couldn't tell as he picked up where he left off. Doncic consistently leaves fans mind-blown, and the same could be said for how he leaves his teammates.

One player who matches that description is Laker's newest forward, Jake LaRavia. After Friday's game, LaRavia admitted that it is tough to pay with Doncic, but for all the right reasons.

“Honestly, sometimes it’s hard playing with Luka because he’ll do a move that’s so crazy and I’ll want to react while I’m on the court and I can’t because I got to get back on defense,” LaRavia said.

LaRavia didn't stop at Doncic, but also showed love to the other Lakers star guard, Austin Reaves.

”It’s so fun watching them play. They’re such talented players. AR and Luka, they lead the team every time we step out there on the court. They are just a force. It’s really tough to guard them,” he said.

"Honestly, sometimes it's hard playing with Luka... "

Jake talks about Luka and Austin pic.twitter.com/h3GZBEJSGc
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) November 1, 2025

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Doncic and Reaves have been phenomenal to start the season. Both Laker stars are averaging north of 30 points per game and have been the main reason for their stellar 5-2 start.

Doncic has been great since returning from his injuries. In his last two games, he has averaged 36.5 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 38.5 minutes of action.

As for Reaves, many question whether he can maintain this level of production when LeBron James returns to the lineup. James is the Lakers' second-best player; however, he will soon turn 41.

It's unrealistic to expect James to play like a top 10 player again this season, at least when he returns from his sciatica injury. Only time will tell, but in the meantime, Doncic and Reaves will carry the load on offense.