In the absence of LeBron James to start the 2025-26 NBA season, Austin Reaves has stepped up as the Los Angeles Lakers' second scoring option behind Luka Doncic.
The Los Angeles Lakers have already undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in recent NBA memory. Trading Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić signaled a philosophical shift away from the power-and-defense identity that had defined the Lakers since 2020.
The Los Angeles Lakers have managed an impressive 7–4 start — all without LeBron James. As the 40-year-old superstar continues to nurse a nerve injury in his back, Luka Dončić has carried the load, delivering MVP-caliber performances that have made him the new face of the franchise.
The all-time list of NBA All-Stars is obviously long, and notably distinguished. However, there are some players — for various reasons — who the casual, or even most-dedicated, NBA fans can't recall having earned All-Star nods.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to roll during the early part of the 2025-26 season despite missing players like LeBron James and Austin Reaves. While James has yet to suit up this season as he works his way back from a sciatica issue, Reaves has missed the Lakers’ past three games due to a groin injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers are on a roll, entering Saturday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks riding a five-game winning streak. Their depth around the star trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves has stepped up, which has been necessary with all three missing time with injury early in the season.
Austin Reaves has missed the Los Angeles Lakers’ last two games due to injury, including Wednesday’s hard-fought 118-116 victory against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Luka Dončić, at his core, is just a fun guy. Sure, he’s aiming to be the best player he can be and wants to win as many titles as possible with the Lakers.
LeBron James is dealing with sciatica and has yet to suit up this season. Luka Doncic has already missed four games due to finger and lower-body injuries.
The Los Angeles Lakers are listing guard Austin Reaves (right groin strain) as out for the team’s contest against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night while Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain) has been upgraded to questionable.
The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a stellar 7-2 start to begin the season. The Los Angeles Lakers knocked off the San Antonio Spurs in their latest win without LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers received a massive update on the projected free agent value of Austin Reaves. On a recent episode of The Ringer's The Zach Lowe Show, The Athletic's Lakers beat reporter Dan Woike informed host Zach Lowe that Reaves was already in line for a major raise.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves has potentially made a lot of money in the absence of LeBron James — and for three games, Luca Doncic. Reaves is averaging 31.1 points per game, the fourth-most in the NBA this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced that Austin Reaves (right groin soreness) will miss his second straight game on Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be in tremendous form to start the season. With the backcourt pairing of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic firing on all cylinders, the Lakers hold a 6-2 record, featuring a four-game winning streak even in the absence of LeBron James.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a phenomenal start to their 2025-26 NBA season. They are 5-2 through their first seven games, and have seen great success without superstar forward LeBron James, who has been out since the start of the season with a sciatica injury.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been on a tear to start the season, making up for the losses of Luka Doncic and LeBron James by averaging 34.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 10.0 assists through five times.
The Los Angeles Lakers are playing without All-Stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. After his buzzer-beater sank the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, Austin Reaves is looking like an All-Star himself.