TITLE: Doncic, Smart to Suit Up Tuesday as Lakers Face Suns
SLUG: doncic-smart-preseason-debuts-lakers
CONTENT:
Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart will appear in a Lakers uniform for the first time this preseason on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick told reporters before practice. The matchup against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena marks the debut of the perennial All-NBA guard and the former Defensive Player of the Year, both of whom have been held out for precautionary reasons.
Redick said the two veterans are expected to play in two of Los Angeles’ final three exhibition contests. Because the Lakers host Dallas on Wednesday in the second half of a back-to-back, Doncic and Smart are most likely to see action again Friday against Sacramento.
Doncic, 26, has not been dealing with an injury but has been on a lighter workload after competing for Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025. Redick noted the star guard will be on a minutes limit versus Phoenix. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt said Doncic has looked sharp in recent scrimmages, praising the guard’s leadership and conditioning.
Smart’s first appearance was pushed back after he dealt with Achilles tendinopathy and a stomach illness during camp. The 31-year-old was initially penciled in for Sunday’s game against Golden State.
Rotation Updates
Second-year forward Dalton Knecht drew a start Sunday against the Warriors and finished with 16 points. Redick credited the 2024 first-round pick’s offensive growth but said the “ceiling” for Knecht will depend on defensive progress.
Center Deandre Ayton contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists in that same contest. Guard Austin Reaves highlighted Ayton’s versatility, recalling the big man’s impact on Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run and noting his ability to protect the rim and run pick-and-roll.
Rookie wing Chris Manon is expected to miss the rest of preseason after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain. The defensive specialist signed a two-way contract in July following a Summer League stint with Golden State.
Veteran forward Maxi Kleber, coming off a broken right foot in January, has been limited by a quad issue but logged minutes in a “stay-ready” scrimmage Monday.
The Lakers close their preseason slate this week with games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday before opening the regular season on Oct. 22.
Source: HoopsRumors
