The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in Texas, but the team heads into the matchup dealing with significant injury concerns that could impact their momentum heading into the NBA playoffs.
The Lakers are coming off a devastating 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder two days ago — a 43-point defeat that not only snapped their strong recent form but also delivered a major blow to their roster. According to the team’s official injury report for Sunday’s game against the Mavericks, star guard Luka Doncic, key contributor Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart have all been ruled out. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt is listed as questionable.
The timing of these injuries could not be worse for Los Angeles. Just days earlier, the Lakers were riding high, posting an impressive 8-2 record over their last ten games and sitting comfortably as the third seed in the Western Conference with a 50-27 record after 77 games played. Following the All-Star break, the team had been on an incredible stretch under head coach JJ Redick, positioning themselves as legitimate contenders heading into the postseason.
However, the blowout loss in Oklahoma City changed everything. Both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered season-ending injuries in that contest, according to reports. ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that Austin Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 oblique injury, meaning both of the Lakers’ leading scorers are likely to be sidelined at the start of the NBA playoffs later this month.
“Devastating run of injuries to L.A.’s two leading scorers,” Charania noted. “Reaves and Luka Doncic are expected to be sidelined to begin the NBA playoffs.”
Jarred Vanderbilt, in his fourth season with the Lakers, remains a potential bright spot if he can suit up. The former Kentucky standout is averaging 4.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 29.7% from beyond the arc across 60 appearances this season.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, present a stark contrast in form. Sitting at the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 24-53 record, Dallas is currently mired in a three-game losing streak. They hold a 14-25 home record at the American Airlines Center, suggesting the Lakers — even shorthanded — may still enter the game as favorites on paper.
This season has already seen the Lakers endure significant challenges. Last year, they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs in five games. Their most recent championship came in the 2020 bubble season, with a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2023.
As the regular season winds down, the injury report casts a shadow over Los Angeles’ playoff preparations. With LeBron James and the rest of the available roster needing to step up in critical moments, Sunday’s matchup against the struggling Mavericks will serve as an important test of depth and resilience.
The Lakers will look to avoid further setbacks and maintain their strong positioning in the Western Conference standings despite the absences of Doncic, Reaves, and Smart. For a team that appeared destined for a deep postseason run, these latest developments represent one of the most challenging stretches of the campaign.
Stay tuned for updates as the Lakers navigate this critical period.