The Los Angeles Lakers received one of their biggest tests to date when they traveled to face the defending NBA champion and rival Boston Celtics. The result was less than ideal, as Los Angeles fell 111-101 in a game that included an overwhelmingly lopsided third quarter.
Unfortunately, the real loss of the evening was superstar LeBron James, who went down with an injury that has inevitably resulted in a state of panic.
James played 35 minutes against the Celtics, posting 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. His night came to a concerning end, however, when he went down with an injury that had many pondering if the Lakers' season had been suddenly derailed.
Shams Charania of ESPN has since reported that James suffered a groin strain that could keep him out for up to two weeks.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to miss at least 1-to-2 weeks with a groin strain, sources tell ESPN. James will wait for the groin injury to calm down over the next 24 hours and receive another evaluation. pic.twitter.com/17mWxsaXN3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 9, 2025
The only positive spin here is that JJ Redick will have a chance to figure out how Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves fit in co-starring roles.
LeBron's absence means Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves must figure it out
For as phenomenal as James has been in 2024-25, the ever-present reality is that he's 40 years of age. Perhaps he'll continue to redefine the laws of longevity in the NBA, but there's an equally as realistic possibility that he's close to the end of his legendary career.
As such, it's rational to believe that the pairing of Doncic and Reaves is more important in the long term than that of Doncic and James.
If there's a silver lining to be found, it's the fact that Doncic and Reaves will receive an early chance to experience life without James on the court. It's an opportunity that could provide Los Angeles insight into the chemistry between the duo that may anchor their future.
Thankfully, Doncic has been here before—and, although perhaps to a lesser extent, the same can be said about Reaves.
Doncic has won alongside high-volume guards in the past, reaching the 2022 Western Conference Finals with Jalen Brunson and the 2024 NBA Finals alongside Kyrie Irving. Reaves, meanwhile, has spent his entire professional career sharing touches with James.
There isn't a perfect comparison to be made between Doncic and James, nor Reaves and either Brunson or Irving, but the general stylistic similarities are intriguing enough.
That provides a bit of optimism in terms of how the Lakers can overcome James' absence. It may be sooner than expected, but they can lean on the duo that may end up leading the franchise into a future without the four-time MVP.
There's no possible way to feel good about the Lakers playing without James, but giving Doncic and Reaves a chance to iron out the details of their backcourt partnership is a blessing in disguise.