The Los Angeles Lakers were without Luka Doncic on Tuesday night, and the team was blown out by the Suns in Phoenix. The NBA’s leading scorer has a calf injury that could be problematic. It is difficult to win with a superstar on the sidelines in the NBA, but the Lakers' weakness was on full display in the Valley of the Sun.
The Lakers were without Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Luka. Austin Reaves was returning from a three-game absence, so he was on a minute limit. Head coach JJ Redick had to get creative with his rotation, but Los Angeles started Nick Smith Jr.