Luka Doncic has a triple-double, but LeBron-less Lakers lose to Spurs

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times on Jan 8, 2026

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SAN ANTONIO — Playing without LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers wilted on the second night of a two-game trip, falling 107-91 to the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center.

With three starters out, Luka Doncic tried to will the Lakers to a victory with a 38-point, 10-rebound, 10 assist triple-double. He played 38 minutes and 20 seconds one night after playing 37 minutes and scoring 30 points in Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans..

James also scored 30 points in Tuesday’s win but sat out Wednesday with right sciatica and left foot arthritis. With him, Hachimura and Reaves out, the Lakers ( 23-12 ) had an average of 61 points sidelined.

Doncic looked prepared to carry the load himself. He scored or assisted 14 of the Lakers’ 16 first-half baskets. He hit a step-back three and spun around contact in the paint, but he wowed mostly through his play-making.

Doncic flipped a half-court alley-oop to Jaxson Hayes, who finished it with a reverse dunk. He fired a one-handed cross-court pass over his shoulder and through a maze of outstretched arms to find Jake LaRavia for a corner three-pointer. After bouncing a pass between De’Aaron Fox’s legs to Deandre Ayton, who spun in the lane and finished a layup, Doncic ran up the court shaking his head menacingly.

The Spurs sent a full-court double team to Doncic later in the second quarter. He giggled in their faces.

But for all of Doncic’s dazzling dimes, he also had seven turnovers.

Doncic had to shoulder the ball-handling load almost exclusively Wednesday without James and Reaves, who is sidelined until at least the end of the month with a calf injury. During the Lakers’ three-game winning streak, James’ strengths didn’t come just from his 29-point per game average but also his control of the offense. James had 24 assists to just six turnovers in the last three games.

After James had eight assists and one turnover in Tuesday’s win in New Orleans — in which the Lakers again relied on their two superstars to carry them to their 13th clutch time win over the year — the 41-year-old forward recognized that he might not be able to play a second game in as many nights.

“His foot typically the day after a game is sore so that’s the primary thing,” coach JJ Redick said before the game. “… We’re hoping that he gets to the point where he can play in back-to-backs with his body but this stretch and this month it’s going to be tough to say that.”

The Lakers play 10 of their 16 games on the road this month and have two more sets of back-to-back games. James has yet to play in two games in as many days this season.

In his record 23rd NBA season, James has navigated new territory at every turn. He missed a season opener for the first time in his basketball-playing life. His almost decade-long streak of scoring in double figures ended. He is one game away from ending another streak.

With 17 games missed this season, James will not be eligible for postseason awards if he misses even one more, meaning his run of 21 consecutive All-NBA honors is at risk.

Etc.

Rui Hachimura was a partial participant in a practice with the G League affiliate South Bay Lakers on Wednesday as he continues to rehab from a right calf strain. Redick said his availability for Friday’s home game against Milwaukee is “TBD.”

“There wasn’t like a setback,” Redick said. “Just the gradual steps that he needs to take, the comfort level he needs with his body just wasn’t there today.”

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