The Los Angeles Lakers have been severely shorthanded to begin the 2025-26 NBA season. Head coach JJ Redick went into the season knowing that LeBron James, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero would be out, but in just four games the Lakers have also lost Luka Doncic for at least one week, Gabe Vincent for at least 2-4 weeks, as well as Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart.
The Lakers lost to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night despite 41 points from Austin Reaves with Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht making up the team’s lone bench contributors.