Much of the Los Angeles Lakers season has been defined by injuries, with key absences forcing constant adjustments to the rotation. LeBron James missed the first 14 games of the year and has been sidelined for 18 total contests, while Austin Reaves was out for 19 straight games before recently returning.
Luka Doncic added to those concerns by missing the Lakers’ final four games before the All-Star break because of a hamstring issue. As a result, Los Angeles has rarely operated at full strength this season. That changed in Friday’s 125-122 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Big Three Finally Share the Floor
Doncic, James, and Reaves appeared together for only the 11th time in the Lakers’ first 55 games, underscoring how rare full availability has been. Doncic made the most of his return, leading the team with 38 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, and one block.
He shot 11-of-25 from the field and connected on eight three-pointers while logging a team-high 37 minutes in the tightly contested victory.
After the game, Doncic addressed the condition of his hamstring and told reporters he felt good overall, noting only typical postgame fatigue. His comments signaled there are no immediate concerns following the recent absence.
Doncic had briefly appeared in the All-Star Game during the break, hinting that his return was close. Friday’s performance confirmed he has resumed his central role in the Lakers’ offense.
Workload Still Worth Monitoring
Durability has remained a talking point around Doncic this season due to his heavy usage. He has acknowledged at various points that he has played through soreness, which is expected given his minutes and offensive responsibilities.
The Lakers have already managed several injury interruptions involving the star guard, including a left finger sprain, recurring leg discomfort, and lower back and ankle issues that caused him to miss time earlier in the year.
Still, Friday’s win offered a clear glimpse of Los Angeles at near full strength. James, despite being a late addition to the injury report with knee soreness, contributed 13 points and 11 assists.
Reaves also stood out in his first game without a minutes restriction, finishing with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. He added six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 32 minutes. Head coach JJ Redick later described Reaves’ late fourth-quarter charge that fouled out Bennedict Mathurin as the play that ultimately swung the game.
With the victory, the Lakers improved to 34-21 and sit fifth in a tightly packed Western Conference. They trail the Denver Nuggets by one game for third place while maintaining a slim edge over the Phoenix Suns in the standings.
If the core trio can stay healthy, Los Angeles may finally have the continuity needed to mount a serious push down the stretch.
