Lakers Lose Season Opener Without Injured LeBron; Reaves Praises Veteran Longevity

The Los Angeles Lakers began their 2025-26 NBA season with a loss to the Golden State Warriors, notably missing four-time MVP LeBron James due to sciatica, sidelining him for several weeks. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic stepped up as the primary offensive contributors, scoring 26 and 43 points respectively, but they acknowledged the challenge of compensating for James' absence. Reaves highlighted that replacing James' all-around production requires collective effort, stating that if he were James, he might have retired by now, a comment meant to emphasize James' remarkable longevity rather than criticize him. The team is also working on building chemistry among newer players like Deandre Ayton, who has yet to develop full synergy with Doncic and Reaves. Despite the current struggles, the Lakers remain hopeful that the team's cohesion and on-court communication will improve as players adapt to new roles. Their upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves will test their ability to perform without James while integrating these adjustments.