Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) returns to the be3nch in the fourth quarteragainst the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rival Coach Sends Blunt Message to Lakers

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Aaron Coloma | Last updated Oct 25, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers got their first win of the season on Friday after another Luka Doncic masterclass, but some people aren't convinced on their chances for the rest of the season.

Doncic has scored more than 40 points in both of the Lakers' two games this season, but is relying on the superstar to carry them through the early parts of the season sustainable?

"Luka is going to have to do what he did every night just to give them a chance," said an anonymous assistant coach.

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The Lakers definiltely relied on Doncic to keep them in their opening game of the 2025-26 season, a 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Doncic had 43 points and was an assists shy of a triple-double in the contest, but outside of 26 points and nine assists from Austin Reaves, the rest of the Lakers' roster was quiet.

"They have a chance because Luka doing that isn't a one-off performance," a scout said of Doncic's first game this season. "They need some of these other guys to step up. So can they survive it? Yes. They'll have games where some of these guys hit shots. But you look at their roster, and it's 1-2-3 -- and 2 is out -- and then a huge gap."

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Los Angeles isn't quite at full strength yet this season, either, due to LeBron James' injury. He is set to miss time into November with sciatica in his right side, and the Lakers will need to last until he returns.

Their "other guys" stepped up during their win on Friday, playing a huge part in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who knocked them out of the NBA playoffs last year.

A Semi-Egalitarian Approach

While Doncic scored 49 points, Reaves and Rui Hachimura both scored more than 20 points and center Deandre Ayton scored 15 points while pulling down eight rebounds.

Even with Friday's win, though, questions still surround the Lakers during James' absence. The Lakers showed they havee what it takes to hang with the stronger teams in the conference, and will need to continue churning out big results to keep themselves at the top of the pack until they're at full strength.