Lakers Reveal New Starting Lineup Without Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers were forced to make big changes to the starting lineup with Luka Doncic and Ziaire Williams both out. Head coach JJ Redick revealed that both players had soreness, and he didn't want to risk injury by playing them in the second half of a back-to-back. The NBA scheduling saw the Lakers playing the Portland Trail Blazers last night and the Los Angeles Clippers today.

Redick revealed the starting lineup against the Clippers without Doncic and Williams active:

PG: Austin Reaves SG: Quentin Grimes SF: Matisse Thybulle PF: Jake LaRavia C: Walker Kessler

Grimes will get the starting nod over fellow guard Collin Sexton to replace Luka's spot in the backcourt with Reaves. The Lakers will need Reaves to have a high scoring game and Grimes to put up more points than he's delivered for them in a limited role so far.

LaRavia gets the open forward starting spot with Williams missing his first game of the year. Jarred Vanderbilt could have started, but Redick recently said he'll play some reserve center minutes to make the bench role more pivotal. Various other Lakers must have great games to make up for the lost production of Doncic and Williams' defense.