Lakers Injuries Mount: Reaves Out, LeBron Hurt

The Lakers have the pieces to chase a title, but early-season health problems are already testing them. Austin Reaves will miss Monday’s game vs. Portland with "right groin soreness," joining Luka Dončić (listed with "lower left leg contusion injury management") and LeBron James on the injury report with "right sciatica." Those absences force lineup shuffles, sap bench continuity and make a short early-season skid more costly. Merlin sees this as a rite of passage: contenders are separated from pretenders by injury resilience and coaching adjustments. Expect Frank Vogel—sorry, coach staff—to lean on veteran spacing and interior minutes while the medical staff tames these nuisances. If the injuries clear quickly, the Lakers’ title window stays open; if not, their margin for error shrinks fast.