With Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique injury) ruled out for at least the remainder of the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers turned to veteran guard Luke Kennard to help fill the void in Dallas on April 5, 2026.
Operating next to LeBron James, Kennard handled primary playmaking responsibilities and produced the first triple-double of his NBA career—15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists—in 41 minutes at American Airlines Center. Despite his effort, Los Angeles fell to the Mavericks.
Kennard comfortable on the ball
Known mainly as a catch-and-shoot threat, Kennard acknowledged after the game on Spectrum SportsNet that directing the offense is unfamiliar territory this season but not entirely new to him. “I haven’t done it at all this year,” he said, noting the importance of keeping the team “organized” and “connected” each trip down the floor.
Aggressiveness over efficiency
Kennard’s 5-for-17 shooting night contrasted with his career reputation as one of the league’s most accurate three-point marksmen. The guard insisted he must continue attacking regardless of percentages. “We can talk about efficiency, percentages, all that. That’s not even a thing for me,” he said. “It’s being aggressive, looking for the right play every single time.”
Historically a low-volume scorer, Kennard recognizes that the absences of Doncic and Reaves demand higher usage. He reiterated that a dip in accuracy is an acceptable trade-off if it helps the Lakers generate quality looks.
Doncic seeking treatment abroad
The Lakers confirmed that Doncic plans to travel to Europe for specialized rehabilitation in an effort to accelerate his timeline and potentially rejoin the club early in the postseason.
Los Angeles continues its road trip later this week, still searching for answers without two of its top scorers.
Source: Lakers Nation
