Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
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Luka Dončić #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during a time out in the first half of a preseason NBA game.
After one of the most eventful offseasons in recent memory, Luka Doncic has yet to set foot on the court in preseason action for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. With Doncic still sidelined, as well as the injury to LeBron James, the Lakers have yet to see their full lineup healthy before the season even begins.
However, while that might be a cause for concern, the Lakersgot a massive update on the availability of their top star. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Doncic expects to play his first game for Los Angeles against the Phoenix Suns.
Luka Doncic plans to play Tuesday in Phoenix against the Suns, a source told ESPN. It will be Doncic’s preseason debut. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic will play in two out of LAL’s final three preseason games.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2025
“Luka Doncic plans to play Tuesday in Phoenix against the Suns, a source told ESPN,”McMenamin wrote on X. “It will beDoncic’s preseason debut. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic will play in two out ofLAL’s final three preseason games.”
After signing his extension with the Lakers, going on a weight-loss journey, and leading Slovenia at the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, Doncic has yet to play in any action through theteam’s first three preseason games.
Luka Doncic Set For 2025-26 Debut
While Doncic differs from James and other Lakers playersdue tohis nothaving a specific injury, the star sat out due to his workload over the summer. But now, the Slovenian is set to make his debut, albeit in preseason action. Redick had previously stated he planned to play Doncic in two preseason games, soMcMenamin’s reporting goes along with that sentiment.
“Doncic sat outL.A.’s 1-2 start to the preseason, with the Lakers looking to lessen the 26-year-oldstar’s workload coming off his monthlong commitment playing for the Slovenian national team in EuroBasket,”McMemanin wrote in his article for ESPN.
The Lakers have a total of three more preseason games, meaning Doncic will likely suit up against the Suns and either the Dallas Mavericks or Sacramento Kings to close out their exhibition matchups.
“Redick said that Doncic would also play in either the Mavs or Kings game,”he added. “It stands to reason that the Kings game would be more likely, considering the Mavs game falls on the second night of a back-to-back.”
Jake LaRavia on Luka Doncic’s leadership: “You follow him because he’s Luka. You know what he does, you know who he is on the court” pic.twitter.com/yX3rKO6gpO
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2025
Regardless, Redick also said hedoesn’t expect Doncic to be playing anything close to thefull game, ashe’ll ramp up his minutes in each of the two gameshe’ll see action.
“I would say there will most likely be a ramp-up from Game 1 to Game 2 inLuka’s minutes,”Redick said. “What that total number looks like,we’re still talking to (the trainer) and Luka about what kind of makes sense.”
Though traded midway through last season, Doncic remainedextremely impactful for the Lakers and expects to do the same this season.
Smart Also Back For The Lakers
Along with the news ofDoncic’s preseason debut, McMenamin reported Marcus Smart will return to action for the Lakers. Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year who arrived in Los Angeles over the summer, was dealing with Achilles pain through theteam’s training camp.
Marcus Smart will also make his preseason debut Tuesday in PHX, per JJ Redick. And Austin Reaves will play against the Suns, too, according to Redick. https://t.co/Hb5KjHNY1U
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2025
“Marcus Smart, who has been out for the first three preseason games because of Achilles tendinopathy, also will make his Lakers debut in Phoenix, according to Redick,”McMenamin wrote. “The coach added thatAustin Reaves will also play against the Suns.
The news ofSmart’s returncomes as agood sign for the Lakers, who will need every bit of his defensive intensity over the course of the upcoming season. For Reaves, he has already played well in multiple preseason games, and the action against the Suns will likely be a short stint toget better prepared for his role alongside Doncic.
While Redick is getting back two of his top guards in Doncic and Smart, the question remains about who he will start in place of James.
“You want to put your five best players on the court as much as possible. You also want to have balance with every lineup,”Redick said when asked about that decision. “When we do our substitution metrics: Who is going to guard? Who is going to create?Are wegoing to have enough shooting? Soyou’re doing that with every lineup you put out there, including the starting lineup.”
Lakers insider Dan Woike believes Jarred Vanderbilt will takeJames’ spot, but for now, the news of Doncic andSmart’s return comes as a good sign for a team that has yet to be fully healthy to start the season.