Tag: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers star Austin Reaves out at least four weeks with calf strain

Austin Reaves
December 2025

The Lakers have ruled Austin Reaves out for a minimum of four weeks after scans confirmed a strained gastrocnemius muscle in his left calf, an issue that previously cost him three games and now halts a career-best season in which he is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Reaves aggravated the calf after returning from an earlier strain, coming off the bench against Phoenix and then starting on Christmas versus Houston before exiting at halftime with 12 points. With a re-evaluation due late January, the Lakers must cover heavy minutes and playmaking in his absence.

Clippers lose Ivica Zubac for weeks with ankle sprain

Ivica Zubac
December 2025

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac will miss several weeks after suffering a Grade 2 sprain to his left ankle, having landed awkwardly on LeBron James’ foot during the first quarter of a 103-88 win over the Lakers at the Intuit Dome. Zubac left the game after posting five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes, with scans confirming significant ligament damage, and the 28-year-old’s absence deprives the Clippers of a double-double machine who anchors their interior defense and has been central to their frontcourt identity.

Luka Dončić injury adds to shorthanded Lakers concerns

Luka Dončić
December 2025

Luka Dončić left the Lakers’ derby defeat to the Clippers at halftime with a left leg contusion, cutting short the NBA’s leading scorer’s night after 19 minutes and 12 points and adding fresh concern over his fitness in an already injury hit Los Angeles squad. Coach JJ Redick said he noticed Dončić limping in the second quarter but could not offer a timeline, while LeBron James called injuries the worst part of sport as the Lakers juggle absences for Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves and search for stability in the Western Conference race.

LeBron hails ‘Luka magic’ after 45-point triple-double sinks Jazz

Luka Dončić
December 2025

LeBron James hailed “Luka magic” after Dončić torched the Jazz for a 45-point triple-double, leading the Lakers to a 143-135 win and a 10-0 record in clutch games this season. Dončić added 14 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals while committing just one turnover. Despite tight officiating and constant traps, Dončić controlled crunch time, setting up Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart for key buckets and trading words with courtside fans as the Lakers closed out. Team-mates praised his composure, and Luka said he still sees room to improve.

Deandre Ayton Honoured With Bob Lanier Community Assist Award

Deandre Ayton
December 2025

Ayton was recognised for leading hurricane relief in Jamaica and expanding food-access and cultural-equity programmes in Los Angeles. His foundation reopened a community centre in his mother’s hometown, turned it into a relief hub after Hurricane Melissa and funded roof repairs and ongoing rebuilding efforts for affected families. In LA, Ayton’s Alley Oop Program supplies tickets and partners with local groups to tackle food insecurity, while backing SüprMarkt LA’s SNAP BACK scheme to deliver fresh produce to underserved communities. The award, carrying a $20,000 donation to his foundation, acknowledges sustained, hands-on work that ties his NBA platform to concrete local impact.

Lakers lose in form Austin Reaves for at least a week with calf strain

Austin Reaves
December 2025

Austin Reaves will miss at least one week with a mild left calf strain, sidelining the breakout guard for the Lakers’ next two games just as he averages 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds while forming a high scoring backcourt with Luka Doncic. The injury is the latest setback in an already disrupted Lakers season, with James only recently returning after missing 14 games and Doncic sitting six through load management and family reasons. The team, 17 7 so far, must now cover Reaves’ usage and creation while keeping their strong start on track.

Doncic welcomes second daughter as MVP-level season pauses for family

Luka Doncic
December 2025

Luka Doncic announced the birth of his second daughter, Olivia, after leaving the Lakers to be in Ljubljana with fiancée Anamaria Goltes. Listed absent for “personal reasons”, he missed two games while leading the league in scoring during an MVP-calibre start to the season. With the Lakers going 1-1 in his absence, coach JJ Redick says Doncic could rejoin the team as early as Sunday in Philadelphia. Already averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists, his brief family break slightly interrupts, but does not derail, Los Angeles’ strong 16-6 start.

Elden Campbell, Clemson legend and long time NBA big man, dies at 57

Elden Campbell
December 2025

Former Clemson star and 15 year NBA veteran Elden Campbell has died at 57, leaving behind a legacy as his college’s all time leading scorer and a steady interior presence for multiple franchises, most notably the Lakers and the championship winning 2004 Detroit Pistons. The 6 foot 11 center, remembered as Easy E for his calm demeanour, powered Clemson to their only ACC regular season title, logged more than 1,000 NBA games with averages of 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds, won a title in Detroit, and was recently honoured in the Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame, prompting tributes from former teammates and coaches.

LeBron James questionable again as Lakers manage left foot issue

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Ahead of Sunday’s game vs New Orleans Pelicans

LeBron has been added to the injury report with a left foot problem and is listed as questionable, Marcus Smart is doubtful with back spasms, and Bronny James is ruled out as he has been reassigned to G League side South Bay Lakers.
After missing the Lakers’ first 14 games with a long layoff, LeBron only returned on 18 November and has played three straight, averaging solid all-round contributions in limited minutes. With the team on a six game winning streak and targeting a 15–4 record, the medical staff now face a balance between short term momentum and long term management of his foot.

Anthony Davis returns as Mavericks fall to Lakers

Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks)
November 2025

Davis made his first appearance since late October after a left calf strain, starting for Dallas and producing 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in 28 minutes in a 129–119 defeat that dropped the Mavericks to 5–14 on the season. Having missed fourteen games while the team went 3–11 and slid to joint second-worst in the West, Davis’ efficient outing offered some encouragement, and Dallas now hope his return to roughly 21 points and 10 rebounds form can stabilise their defence and interior presence as he rebuilds rhythm.

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