Lakers Give Injury Update on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves Before T-Wolves Game
The Los Angeles Lakers have shared an update on the injury status of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ahead of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha
James is still dealing with sciatica and has a recovery timeline of mid-November. Thiero is coming off left knee surgery, while Kleber has an abdominal muscle strain. Kleber suffered the injury on the first day of training camp, leaving the Lakers with a depleted frontcourt to start the season.
Doncic suffered a right groin injury late in the Lakers’ season opener loss to the Golden State Warriors. Reaves left that game unscathed, but he tweaked his ankle in practice the following day.
Doncic and Reaves Participated in Practice
The Los Angeles Lakers had another practice on Thursday in preparation for their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coach JJ Redick told reporters that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were participants, but the Oklahoma product had her own workout to test his ankle.
While Redick confirmed that both players are going to suit up, he initially thought Reaves would sit the next two games. However, the Lakers guard doesn’t like missing games, so he’s expected to get a full clearance from the medical team before tipoff.
“Luka was a full participant. Austin was a modified participant. He kind of tweaked his ankle. Yesterday was no live so he was able to do everything. Today, he did everything but live. It’s not really like a thing where I can say he’s gonna be out a couple games or he’s gonna play tomorrow. It literally will be how he feels tomorrow. I know Austin, I’m gonna expect him to play,” Redick, via
Doncic was nearly unstoppable in the Lakers’ first game of the season, finishing with 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Reaves also had a great performance, putting up 26 points, five rebounds and nine assists. However, they couldn’t contain the Golden State Warriors and lost the game,
Anthony Edwards Wants to Surpass Doncic, SGA
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years. However, they were no match against Luka Doncic and the
Anthony Edwards wants to surpass and get the better of both players if the Timberwolves want to make their first NBA Finals appearance.
“We ain’t going to get to the finals without going through Luka or Shai. I just gotta keep getting better. That’s the main thing,” Edwards told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic
Edwards, Doncic and SGA are three of the best young players in the NBA. All of them are just entering their prime and will be the next torchbearers and faces of the league, especially with LeBron James,
Proposed Trade Sees Raiders Land Former No. 7 Pick to Help Position of Need
In a lost season for the
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Even if the Raiders don’t get into the playoffs, a strong end to the season would make the vibes much better heading into the offseason. One of the key reasons for the team’s struggles has been offensive line play. There isn’t a single player in the group who looks like a long-term starter, outside of left tackle Kolton Miller, who is out with an ankle injury.
Right tackle has been an issue the Raiders have tried to solve for years, but haven’t had any luck. Evan Neal was highly touted coming out of Alabama in 2022, which led to him being drafted by the
He hasn’t played a game for the Giants this season, and they declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Neal doesn’t have a future in New York, and
“This feels like an ideal time to deal away Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022 who has been inactive all season,” Fowler wrote. “The Giants’ starting offensive line finally feels settled, which would make parting with Neal easier, even if for just a late-round pick swap. Teams are always looking for offensive line help.”
Is Neal Worth Trading For?
Neal’s value has plummeted so much that the Giants might only be able to get a seventh-round pick or just a pick swap for him. There’s a good chance that Neal is a true bust and doesn’t have what it takes to play in the
That said, he was a very good player at Alabama and was named a Consensus All-American in 2021. The fact that he’s dealt with so many injuries has made his development tricky. It’s possible that there’s still some potential there in the right situation. Even if he ends up flaming out in Las Vegas, he wouldn’t be a bad player to take a flyer on.
Braxton Jones Also Listed as Trade Fit
Neal won’t be the only tackle possibly on the trade market. Fowler also listed the Raiders as a fit for Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones.
“Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching in favor of Theo Benedet and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago. Jones also is in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025,” Fowler wrote.
Jones has a lot of starting experience, but hasn’t been a huge impact player. Regardless, offensive linemen with experience aren’t easy to find this late into the season, so there should be interest. Neal might be more interesting because of his upside, but the Raiders could favor a more well-known commodity like Jones if they’re going to make a trade.
