Lakers could be in big trouble until LeBron James returns

The Los Angeles Lakers got 43 points from Luka Doncic and 26 points from Austin Reaves Tuesday night. It wasn't nearly enough to down the Golden State Warriors with LeBron James out injured.

The Warriors defeated the Lakers in Los Angeles, 119-109. That means that while Doncic and Reaves combined for 69 points, the rest of their team managed only 40 combined.

Gabe Vincent scored three points in 29 minutes. Rui Hachimura hit back-to-back threes in 33 seconds at the end of the second quarter — and scored three points in his other 35 minutes. Deandre Ayton made five field goals and committed four turnovers.

Vincent was starting in the absence of James, who is out indefinitely with sciatica. Without James, Doncic and Reaves are the Lakers' only real scoring threats. Summer acquisition Jake LaRavia scored five points off the bench. Marcus Smart, another summer addition, had nine points and three turnovers in 23 minutes, plus four fouls and a flagrant.

The Lakers have little depth with James out

The bench only managed one assist, from backup center Jaxson Hayes. Smart, ostensibly a point guard, didn't have a single dime, and the former Defensive Player of the Year seemed more devoted to flopping than playing defense in the opener. Smart hit the deck after minimal contact over and over, sometimes on the same play, perhaps a sign that injuries have robbed him of the athleticism to play honest defense.