Lakers Announce Full Starting Lineup Ahead of NBA Cup Game vs Mavericks

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled their full first five ahead of their Emirates NBA Cup showdown against the Dallas Mavericks.

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Thanks to starting center Deandre Ayton's announced return from a right calf contusion that cost him the Lakers' 135-118 Tuesday win against the LA Clippers (Jaxson Hayes started capably in his stead), Los Angeles will have access to head coach JJ Redick's preferred starting unit once again.

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With Ayton manning the middle, the Lakers will start five-time All-NBA First Team superstar point guard Luka Doncic (who was, until February, a Maverick) and shooting guard Austin Reaves in the backcourt, plus small forward Rui Hachimura and 21-time All-NBA power forward LeBron James in the frontcourt.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, will be bringing back the 10-time All-Star big man who served as the centerpiece of their misguided Doncic deal last season.

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For Dallas, former 2020 Lakers champ Anthony Davis is set to return from a lingering calf injury, although it is Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that Jason Kidd will be playing Davis on a minutes restriction.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.