Overview

• Coach JJ Redick said Dončić will debut Tuesday vs. the Suns and is slated to play in two of the final three tune-ups with a planned minutes ramp-up between appearances.
• Marcus Smart will also make his first Lakers appearance in Phoenix after missing three games with Achilles tendinopathy, and Austin Reaves is available to play.
• The Lakers ruled out Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes for the Suns game, with the team managing a back-to-back that continues Wednesday in Las Vegas.
• LeBron James remains out at least 2–3 weeks with sciatica and rookie Chris Mañon is very unlikely to play in the preseason after a Grade 2 ankle sprain, per Redick.
• Redick is still weighing starting and rotation combinations; Deandre Ayton’s rim-protection focus and Austin Reaves’ strong preseason showing are informing those decisions ahead of Friday’s finale vs. the Kings.