LeBron James was pretty bummed when Luka Dončić missed a free-throw with 3:05 remaining in Friday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It meant that Dončić's second free throw would only take him to 49 points,

The friendly banter between Los Angeles Lakers teammates Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić continued after Reaves went off for 51 points in Sunday's 127-120 win over the Sacramento Kings.

After a summer spent getting into top shape, excelling at EuroBasket and settling into Los Angeles, Dončić has become the fourth player in NBA history to begin a season with back-to-back 40-point performances — and he barely missed a triple-double twice, too.

Without LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the lineup, Austin Reaves stepped up for the Lakers Sunday night, with 51 points, 22 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Lakers will rely more heavily on Dončić in the early going with LeBron James on the shelf due to sciatica. James is reportedly targeting a mid-November season debut, which gives Dončić about a month of runway as the unquestioned leader of the Lakers' lineup.

The Los Angeles Lakers have no long-term concern about Luka Dončić‘s injuries, according to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Athletic. Dončić has a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion.

The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a major setback on Sunday as superstar Luka Dončić was diagnosed with a sprained left finger and lower leg contusion that will keep him sidelined for at least a week, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Luka Dončić's MVP-like night gives the Lakers their first win of season over Timberwolves with 49 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists