The Los Angeles Lakers will be severely short-handed on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back.
Los Angeles will be without Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain), LeBron James (left foot arthritis), Austin Reaves (left calf injury management), and Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness), the team announced (Twitter link via Khobi Price of the California Post).
Deandre Ayton is questionable due to right knee soreness.
James’ absence is especially significant, as it will be his 18th missed game of the season, eliminating his eligibility for end-of-season awards that require a 65-game minimum.
While his numbers this year, 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, dipped slightly, he still earned an All-Star nod. However, injuries, including an early-season bout with sciatica, will end his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA selections.
The shorthanded Lakers are coming off a 119-110 home loss to an Oklahoma City team missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Afterward, James acknowledged the gap between the Lakers and true contenders.
“That’s a championship team right there, we’re not,” James said. “We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes and they can. That’s why they won a championship.”
LeBron James Ruled Out Tuesday, Will Be Ineligible For Awards https://t.co/7Z5RW9hG9r pic.twitter.com/ZwvAnresYb
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 10, 2026
