Luka Doncic will be sidelined for at least one week! Experts predict he will miss 5 to 10 games, and LeBron's absence tests the Lakers' depth.

On October 27th Beijing time, the Lakers confirmed that Doncic suffered a left finger sprain and a left calf bruise, causing him to miss at least a week. With LeBron James already sidelined, the Lakers will face a major test of their lineup depth with both stars out.

Despite the Lakers initially describing the injury as a “short-term absence,” medical specialists suggest Doncic might be out for more than a handful of games. Injury expert Jeffries noted that before returning to the court, Doncic will likely need additional time for recovery and conditioning.

“This likely means Luka won’t return exactly one week from now—he’ll need some time to regain his form,” Jeffries wrote. “Based on the Lakers’ schedule, he could miss around 5 to 10 games.”

In the next 10 days, the Lakers will face the Kings, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies. Doncic’s absence could disrupt the team’s early-season rhythm.

The timing of Doncic’s injury is especially unfortunate. The Slovenian star had just scored 49 points in a game, helping the Lakers defeat the Timberwolves 128-110, avenging their first-round playoff exit from last season.

In the first two games, Doncic averaged 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game, setting a Lakers franchise record for total points in the opening two contests.

In the season opener, he tallied 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists in a narrow 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors; then, he nearly scored 50 points in the following game against the Timberwolves.

Beyond his scoring surge, Doncic’s improvements in stamina and defensive intensity have impressed the Lakers’ coaching staff—two areas where he faced heavy criticism during last season’s playoffs.

“Last season was really tough for me,” Doncic said. “I just want to forget about it. This year, we’ll face them (the Timberwolves) several times again—every matchup will be a tough battle.”

Doncic’s injury adds to the Lakers’ growing health woes. LeBron remains out due to sciatic nerve irritation, while Kleber (abdominal strain) and rookie A.D. Thiero (left knee injury) are also sidelined. Backup center Hayes will miss his second consecutive game due to knee soreness.

This situation makes Reeves the team’s main offensive option. The 27-year-old guard has previously excelled in this role—most notably last season when both LeBron and Doncic were out, he scored a career-high 45 points in a 124-117 victory over the Pacers. Reeves became the youngest Lakers player since Kobe in 2006 to record a 40-point, 5-rebound, and 5-assist game.

New Lakers additions Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart will also need to take on greater responsibilities.

In the first two games, Ayton averaged 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game with a shooting percentage of 66.7%. Smart contributed defensive stability with 1.5 steals per game but managed only 6.0 points offensively.