The Los Angeles Lakers had a troublesome preseason, managing to win only one out of six video games, and consequently, their followers feared the staff may battle to seek out its groove. However because the 2025–26 NBA common season tipped off, the Lakers rapidly started to silence the doubters as they gained three of their first 5 contests. These victories haven’t come with out adversity, together with accidents to Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Now, because the Lakers gear up for the sport towards the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 31, followers are questioning whether or not Dončić will return to the lineup.
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As per the most recent harm report from ESPN, Dončić has been listed as “questionable” because of a left finger sprain. It’s that finger sprain, mixed with a contusion on his decrease left leg, that prevented him from enjoying within the final three video games, a notable absence for Los Angeles.
Even with the latest slowdown, Dončić has been a transformative pressure for the Lakers within the early going, averaging 46.0 factors, 11.5 rebounds, and eight.5 assists whereas taking pictures 62.0% from the sector and 31.8% from deep in two video games.
The opening week was historic as Dončić scored 40-plus factors in every contest with double-digit boards and no less than 5 assists, totaling 92 factors and 23 rebounds. That’s the celebrity engine Los Angeles constructed this offense round.
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Nevertheless, Dončić isn’t the one Laker coping with accidents. The most recent report lists a number of key gamers on the harm listing, together with:
Marcus Sensible – Questionable (Quadriceps Challenge)
Adou Thiero – Out (Knee Challenge)
Gabe Vincent – Out (Ankle Challenge)
Maxi Kleber – Out (Indirect Pressure)
LeBron James – Out (Sciatica)
So, who carries the load if Dončić is proscribed or sits? Austin Reaves, who’s averaging 34.2 factors per recreation, might want to shoulder much more creation. Anticipate the Lakers to funnel possessions by means of Reaves in excessive ball screens and reside on the free-throw line.
Now let’s have a look at the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies Harm Report
Very similar to Los Angeles, Memphis will even enter the Halloween matchup shorthanded. As per the most recent ESPN harm report, the gamers on the harm listing are:
Ty Jerome – Out (Calf Challenge)
Scotty Pippen Jr. – Out (Toe Harm)
Brandon Clarke – Out (Knee Synovitis)
Zach Edey – Out
Even so, the Grizzlies have opened the common season at 3–2, leaning on the two-way efforts of Ja Morant and the inside/defensive presence of Jaren Jackson Jr., who’re averaging 23.4 and 17.6 factors per recreation, respectively.
Anticipate Memphis to stress the ball, pound the glass, and hunt transition possibilities off live-ball turnovers.
