Overview
- Los Angeles upgraded Luka Dončić (left finger sprain, lower-left leg contusion) to questionable for Friday’s NBA Cup game in Memphis, with Marcus Smart (right quad) also questionable.
- LeBron James remains out with right-side sciatica as he targets a mid-November return; Gabe Vincent (ankle), Maxi Kleber (abdominal strain) and Adou Thiero (knee) are also sidelined.
- Coach J.J. Redick said Dončić is progressing day to day and noted reduced swelling in the injured finger.
- Austin Reaves is averaging 34.2 points and 10.0 assists through five games, including 51 and 41-point outings and a game-winning floater with 28 points and 16 assists in Minnesota.
- The Lakers open NBA Cup group play at 9:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, and Reaves’ surge is fueling projections he will decline his 2026-27 option and command $30M-plus annually, with a five-year path available for Los Angeles.