Lakers HC JJ Redick Announces Availability of Luka Doncic, 2 Others for Preseason Game vs Suns

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) 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

Second-year Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has announced his plan for five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic and two other key LA players in a forthcoming Tuesday preseason road tilt against the Phoenix Suns, per Dan Woike of The Athletic.

According to Redick, Los Angeles intends to have Doncic and newly-signed free agent former All-Defensive Team guard Marcus Smart make their preseason debuts for Los Angeles. Smart will also be making his Lakers debut, period.

More news: Lakers Stunningly Disrespected by NBA General Managers in New Survey

Star guard Austin Reaves, who departed LA's eventual victory against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday after knocking knees in the second half, is also set to suit up.

The plan, JJ Redick says, is for Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart to all play tomorrow in Phoenix

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) October 13, 2025

In the two teams' first matchup of the preseason on October 3, Phoenix obliterated the short-handed Lakers, 103-81.

Reaves scored 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 7-of-7 shooting from the foul line in just 21 minutes. James, Doncic, Smart, point guard Gabe Vincent, power forward/center Maxi Kleber, and rookie forward Adou Thiero all sat.

LA is Slowly Healing

Los Angeles has been explicitly resting Doncic after he spent his summer overexerting himself for the Slovenian national team in a medal-less EuroBasket bid. But with 21-time All-NBA power forward LeBron James shelved through at least the next two-to-three weeks thanks to a sciatica injury on his right side, the Lakers have struggled to develop their offense.

The absence of Smart, too, has made things tough. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year inked a two-season, $10.5 million bi-annual exception agreement in free agency to join the Lakers this summer, and although the 31-year-old's body has begun to break down in recent year, team president Rob Pelinka is clearly hoping Smart, currently dealing with an Achilles tendinopathy, can play a big role on the team this year.

More news: Lakers’ LeBron James Set to Make Unfortunate Personal History With Injury Setback

When Pelinka let free agent Dorian Finney-Smith depart for West rival the Houston Rockets on a four-season, $52 million deal, he new he needed to replace Finney-Smith's two key attributes — 3-point shooting and perimeter defense — in free agency. He addressed both separately, bringing in Smart and sharpshooting combo forward Jake LaRavia.

After this Suns tilt, Los Angeles will have just one more preseason game, a home matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

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