The Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in their final game before the NBA All-Star break, but they will be short-handed.

Los Angeles will once again be without franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic, who continues to be sidelined with a lingering left calf strain, and starting center Deandre Ayton will also be sidelined. excluded Accompanied by knee pain.

The absence of both players removes the Lakers’ main offensive engine and interior anchor at critical points in the schedule, and will require coach JJ Redick to carefully manage his time and responsibilities heading into the hiatus.

Ayton absent again as Lakers take cautious approach

Ayton’s knee issues date back to last weekend and have limited him to just one brief appearance in the Lakers’ past four games. The former No. 1 overall pick returned on Monday, but played just 29 minutes in a 119-110 loss, scoring six points on five shots and grabbing 10 rebounds.

It was clear that the discomfort would not completely subside.

“He went out for target practice and wasn’t completely comfortable.” Reddick said After Saturday’s win over the Golden State Warriors. “I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that’s an everyday thing.”

Still, the Lakers opted for caution and ruled Ayton out for the third time in the last four games. In 46 games this season, the 7-footer is averaging 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract with Los Angeles with a player option for the second year after a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers last summer.

Doncic approaches 65 games played to qualify for award

Doncic will miss four consecutive games and the 12th game of the 2025-26 season due to a calf strain, narrowing his eligibility window for the NBA’s postseason award below the 65-game minimum.

The Slovenian star could afford to miss five more games remaining in the season to remain eligible for awards such as All-NBA honors and MVP. To compete for the Michael Jordan Trophy, he must play in at least 23 of the Lakers’ remaining 28 games after the All-Star break.

Last season, Doncic played in just 50 games with Dallas and Los Angeles and missed All-NBA recognition due to a calf injury. Prior to that, he was named to the All-NBA First Team for five consecutive years, becoming the youngest player in league history to accomplish that feat.

In 2024, Doncic joins a rare group of players as the fourth player to be named to the All-NBA First Team five times in his first six NBA seasons.

MVP race heats up for Doncic

Doncic entered the All-Star break ranked No. 2 in his most recent game. kia mvp laddercurrently chasing only MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Previously, the Denver Nuggets star was outpacing Nikola Jokic, who missed overtime, but Doncic’s own injury absence threatens to stall that momentum.

The Lakers have not yet ruled him out of Sunday’s All-Star Game, expressing optimism that he could return for Los Angeles’ first game after the hiatus, against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 20.

Lakers trust LeBron James and Austin Reaves

Without Doncic and Ayton, the Lakers will rely heavily on LeBron James and Austin Reeves.

James missed Tuesday’s 136-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs due to injury management on the second night of a back-to-back, but is expected to return.

Reeves, coming off a 19-game absence due to a calf-related injury, averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in just 24.8 minutes since his return as Redick cautiously increased his workload.

For one more night, the duo will have to carry the burden. The Lakers hope rest during the All-Star break will get their lineup closer to full strength for the stretch run.

Alder Almo I’m a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has over 20 years of experience in national and international media including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is originally from the Philippines and is currently based in Jersey City, New Jersey. About Alder Almo