AI-assisted illustration based on: Luka Doncic Lakers Deandre Hunter Donovan Mitchell Cavaliers Jan 2026.jpg by Erik Drost, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (made with Google Gemini, edited by B3 Basketball)
Luka Dončić is off the Lakers' injury report for Monday's game in Atlanta, a day after lower-back tightness kept him out in Detroit. He leads the NBA at 40.1 points a game through nine games, has scored 37 or more in seven straight and 40 or more in his last four, capped by 53 against Portland on Friday. Coach JJ Redick said he is not concerned about the back long-term. The Lakers did not miss a beat without him. Austin Reaves poured in a season-high 43 on 14-of-27 shooting in a 121-116 win over the Pistons, the Lakers' fifth straight. At 9-2 they own the West's best record and their best start since 2019-20.
"I thought AR's decision-making, his aggression … was just fantastic tonight." — JJ Redick
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