Lakers’ Luka Doncic Set to Make Preseason Debut Against Suns

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PHOENIX — Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Luka Doncic will make his preseason debut Tuesday night when the team faces the Phoenix Suns on the road.

Doncic, 26, sat out the Lakers’ first three preseason contests as the coaching staff aimed to manage his workload following a demanding summer spent representing Slovenia in EuroBasket. Redick emphasized the importance of easing Doncic back into action after his extended international play.

Following Tuesday’s matchup in Phoenix, the Lakers will complete their six-game preseason schedule with two more outings — a Wednesday night game in Las Vegas against Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, and a home finale against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

Redick mentioned that Doncic is expected to play in one of those final two games as well, with the Kings contest being the more likely option since it avoids a back-to-back scenario. The coaching staff, in consultation with Doncic’s athletic trainer Javy Barrio, will determine his minutes on a game-by-game basis.

“I would say there will most likely be a ramp-up from Game 1 to Game 2 in Luka’s minutes,” Redick explained. “What that total number looks like, we’re still talking to Javy and Luka about what makes sense.”

When asked about how he plans to utilize his new superstar, Redick kept it simple: “Give him the ball.”

In addition to Doncic’s debut, the Lakers will also welcome guard Marcus Smart to the lineup for the first time this preseason. Smart, who missed the first three games due to Achilles tendinopathy, has been cleared to play. Redick added that Austin Reaves will also see action against Phoenix.

With opening night against the Golden State Warriors just over a week away, Redick acknowledged that the team’s starting lineup remains unsettled. The Lakers are still adjusting to the absence of LeBron James, who will miss at least two to three more weeks with right-side sciatica before being reevaluated.

“You want to put your five best players on the court as much as possible,” Redick said. “You also want to have balance with every lineup — who’s going to guard, who’s going to create, and whether you have enough shooting. Losing LeBron complicates things a bit, but we’ll figure it out.”

Redick expressed confidence that the team’s lineup decisions will come together naturally as the preseason wraps up, with Doncic’s integration marking a key step in building rhythm and chemistry before the games start to count.