Following the Lakers‘ season opener against the Warriors, star guard Luka Doncic spent an extended period of time after Tuesday’s season opener getting treatment in the training room, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“It’s probably nothing,” Doncic said of the treatment he was getting on the inside of his right leg. “Just felt it a little bit because my hip went [the opposite] way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”
Head coach JJ Redick was similarly unconcerned when asked about it.
“He seems to be fine. I don’t think it’s anything major,” Redick said. “He got some treatment this morning and we didn’t practice long, but he was a participant in practice.”
Doncic scored 43 points along with 12 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ loss to the Warriors. McMenamin notes that the team now has two days of recovery time before they next play on Friday against the Wolves.
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The Lakers’ loss showed plenty of promise, but it also showed the team’s desperate need for LeBron James, writes Dan Woike for The Athletic. “I’ll be honest with you, I did have one moment in that first half when we had a few possessions, couldn’t score against the zone, I (thought), ‘That’d be great to have LeBron just to throw it to the high post,’” Redick said. While James was unable to help on the court, he’s already helping off the court, writes McMenamin. According to Redick, James was a vocal and helpful presence during the team’s post-game film session. “*[James] asking questions, him giving his input, us having a back-and-forth is so healthy,*” Redick said.
Gabe Vincent was something of a forgotten man coming into this season, but after a strong preseason, he’s seeing his optimism and hard work pay off, writes Woike. “They’ll get everything I have to offer,” Vincent said. “I’ll be pouring everything into it because I’m trying to win.” Redick said he wished he had a team full of Vincents, though he went on to add: “I think everybody does possess those qualities; otherwise they wouldn’t be a Laker. The difference is he’s the most consistent in bringing those qualities every single time.”
It was only one game, but it was enough to raise concerns, writes Bill Plaschke for the LA Times. The team showed its lack of depth, Plaschke writes, exemplified by questionable debuts from Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. The team also had 20 turnovers and 11 missed free throws. “Not being organized in early offense,” Redick said, listing the problem areas. “Having the wrong guy bring it up. Not sprinting back. We make a run, we got two guys back, Buddy Hield gets a wide-open three for some reason on a full-court pass. Those are self-inflicted things. So it’s not anything Golden State did to us.” He went on to say that while the addition of James would help, what’s even more important is for the role players to play like stars in their roles.