Sudden injury! Farewell, Doncic! The superstar who scored 92 points in two games is out.

What? So sudden.

Insider Shams reports:Doncic is out for at least a week because of a sprained left finger and a bruised left calf.

Journalist McMenamin says: This is a major setback for the Lakers, who were already missing LeBron (right sciatica), and now have lost Doncic as well.

Since the season began, the slimmer version of Doncic has shown an explosive and nearly unstoppable form, shooting 17 of 27 for 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists in the opener; then 14 of 23 for a crazy 49 points, 11 boards, and 8 assists in the next game,making him the first player in NBA history to have 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in each of the first two games of a season, totaling 92 points, 23 rebounds, and 17 assists across both contests.

Doncic’s averages stand at 46 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game, with shooting splits of 62%, 31.8%, and 79.3%. The team holds a 1-1 record, ranked sixth in the West. Now with him sidelined and LeBron’s return date uncertain, the Lakers will rely on Reeves as their sole leader for the time being.

Reeves has also performed excellently since the season started, averaging 36.5 minutes, 25.5 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal per game, with shooting percentages of 58.1%, 30%, and 80%. Leading the team solo is a perfect chance for him to prove himself and aim for a big contract extension or even a max deal next summer.

During this offseason, Reeves decisively declined a four-year, $89.2 million early extension and will most likely opt out next summer to enter free agency. At that time, he will be eligible to sign a max five-year, $246.7 million contract with the Lakers or a max four-year, $183 million deal with another team.

Therefore, there is a possibility this season that the Lakers might trade Reeves to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing next summer... By the way, this season is also LeBron’s contract year, with a salary of $52.63 million, and the Lakers currently have no plans to extend the 40-year-old superstar’s deal early.

In simple terms, regardless of this season’s results, the Lakers will undergo major roster changes next summer. The core trio of Doncic (who signed a three-year, $165 million early extension this summer), LeBron, and Reeves has officially started its countdown — cherish it while it lasts.