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Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Why Is Luka Doncic Not Playing Tonight? Lakers vs Blazers Starting Line-Up Reviewed

Originally posted on EssentiallySports | By Caroline John | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 1:00 AM ET

Yesterday, LakeShow was hyped, the shorthanded team was looking phenomenal, and its trio of 20+ point scorers were getting corny band names (Tres Leches, really?). Today the new look Lakers are looking different. After beating Miami at home, the Lakers went to Portland to disappoint fans. Not by beating the Trail Blazers. Fans who are expecting to see Luka Doncic play tonight are going to be disappointed. The Lakers starting lineup is revealed and it’s prominently missing the names that thrilled LA only 24 hours ago.

Luka Doncic is resting for the second of the back-to-back game. And not only him, the team is also down Austin Reaves.

Doncic sat out the second week of the season with a leg contusion and finger injury. He played two games last week but is resting again for lower left leg contusion injury management, as per reports.

Reaves’ condition might be more concerning at the moment. He is ruled out with right groin soreness. The severity of it is not known and how long that will keep him on the sidelines.

tonight’s starters against the Blazers — Dalton Knecht gets the nod along with Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart: pic.twitter.com/F4jKpassT0

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) November 4, 2025

The Lakers starting lineup tonight has Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart. Ayton had missed Sunday’s game because of back spasms after an early exit from Friday’s game. It appears he’s rested for a comeback.

Tonight though, most eyes are going to be on Jake LaRavia without Luka and AR on the floor. Two of the biggest stars missing is a letdown but the expectation for the 24-year-old to carry forward the momentum will be the highest.

Lakers pace Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ahead of big matchup

During Luka Doncic’s break, AR overshadowed him with a 51-point outing. Doncic was back last Friday for the first NBA Cup group stage game, overwhelming the Grizzlies with another 40+ points game. The combination of Doncic and Reaves have kept the Lakers at an impressive 5-2 record without LeBron James. It’s Jake LaRavia’s surprising emergence that is aiding the duo though.

Last night, Doncic (29 points), Reaves (26 points), and LaRavia (25 points) were the terrible trio that toppled the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena with 20+ points each among them. They became instant favorites yesterday. However, the Lakers are pacing this trio across back-to-back games.

LaRavia though is held at 2 points at halftime. The Lakers are down 53-50 and Blazers fans believe that without Doncic and Reaves, LA has essentially conceded this game. They’re probably looking at Wednesday’s matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs and ensuring Doncic and Reaves are healthy for it.

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

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