Lakers Hold Out Scoring Star Before Five-Game Sprint
Coach JJ Redick prioritized rest for Luka Doncic and Ziaire Williams as the team faced its first dense schedule of the year.
By Tyler Khalil ·
The Los Angeles Lakers entered a demanding stretch of the calendar with their two highest-profile offensive options on the sideline. Luka Doncic sat out Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, marking his first missed game of the season. Ziaire Williams also missed the action due to left foot inflammation and soreness.
The absences occurred on the second night of a back-to-back set following Tuesday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The team is now facing five games in seven days, a schedule that Redick described as difficult with little recovery time. He said the coaching staff is being overly cautious to prepare for the upcoming workload.
Doncic has been the league’s leading scorer through the first four games of the season. He is averaging 36 points per game on 48.4% shooting from the field. He also averages 8.3 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game. Redick expressed hope that both Doncic and Williams will be available for Friday’s road game against the Golden State Warriors.
That Friday contest serves as the Lakers’ first NBA Cup group-play game. The team is navigating a period where early-season injuries have affected other clubs, including those involving Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, and Tyrese Haliburton. The Lakers are taking a preventive approach to avoid joining that list.
With their forwards out, coach JJ Redick turned to Jarred Vanderbilt off the bench in the first quarter. Vanderbilt was active for the first four games but had not yet played. Redick noted that Vanderbilt certainly can fill the center role if needed behind Walker Kessler.
The 23-year-old Lawson Lovering, a new two-way contract signee, was not active for Wednesday’s game. Redick admitted he is still getting up to speed on the new player. Vanderbilt, who is in the third year of a four-year, $48 million contract, played in 65 regular-season games last season. He averaged 4.4 points on 47.1% shooting from the field during that campaign.
Redick explained that the team previously used Vanderbilt at center out of necessity after trading for Doncic. He stated that Vanderbilt is better suited as a wing or forward on the perimeter defensively. However, Redick acknowledged there will be moments where Vanderbilt must play the five position by necessity.
