Mar 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lakers Star Plans to Make Preseason Debut Against Suns

Originally posted on Phoenix Suns on SI | By Brendan Mau | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 3:56 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns are facing a tall task going into Tuesday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers with only one day of rest after a 13-hour flight following a preseason matchup against the Brooklyn Nets in China on Sunday.

This will likely lead to several key Suns players sitting, but for those who do play, they will reportedly be seeing Luka Doncic for the first time this preseason.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on X Monday:

"Luka Doncic plans to play Tuesday in Phoenix against the Suns, a source told ESPN. It will be Doncic’s preseason debut. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic will play in two out of LAL’s final three preseason games."

Luka Doncic plans to play Tuesday in Phoenix against the Suns, a source told ESPN. It will be Doncic’s preseason debut. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic will play in two out of LAL’s final three preseason games.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2025

The Lakers have rested Doncic for their first three preseason games after he played for Slovenia at Eurobasket this summer, which included a 103-81 loss to the Suns in both teams' preseason opener on Oct. 3.

Los Angeles announced last Thursday that it will be without LeBron James for at least three to four weeks because of sciatica on his right side.

Suns' Outlook for Preseason Finale

Phoenix has not yet officially announced any players to be out for Tuesday's matchup, although Jalen Green, who has a low-grade hamstring strain, and Mark Williams, who the team is resting in the preseason to have him healthy for the start of the regular season, have not played in any of the Suns' three preseason games.

"What we have is a little different preseason because of our China trip and because of that fourth game after, that put a little curveball in all this," Suns coach Jordan Ott said of the preseason earlier in training camp (via The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin). "We have to get our guys ready faster than probably normal. We started early, but we only have three games. That fourth game (the finale against the Lakers) is going to be different.

"We fly back from China, two days later, you play. I think our minutes will be organized and scheduled out here these first couple of games because we need to get them there fast."

The Suns have rolled out the same starting lineup of Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro in each of the first three matchups with Collin Gillespie, Royce O'Neale, Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards as the top backups, which could be a sign of things to come in the regular season.

Phoenix could decide to give more minutes to players who haven't got as much playing time so far in the preseason finale as it navigates its difficult travel schedule.