Despite the Los Angeles Lakers’ season being only three games old, they’ve had a boatload of injuries to superstars and key roster players alike. It hasn’t been the easiest start for coach JJ Redick.
Nevertheless, they sit at 2-1 thanks to Austin Reaves putting up a 51-point, near triple-double masterpiece in their 127-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Monday night, the beat-up Lakers, with an extraordinary amount of expensive talent missing, take on a Portland Trail Blazers team with its own issues. They will be without head coach Chauncey Billups, who the FBI arrested for his alleged part in an illegal gambling ring scheme.
Lakers’ Injuries Cost Them Heavily at the Beginning of the Season
Remarkably, $130+ million of talent is missing for their upcoming game against the Blazers. In other words, of their $194.8 million total team salary, $130 million’s worth will be in street clothes.
Here’s the breakdown of the $130 million in injured players:
- LeBron James ($52,627,153)
- Luka Doncic ($45,999,660)
- Jaxson Hayes ($3,449,323)
- Maxi Kleber ($11,000,000)
- Marcus Smart ($5,134,000)
- Adou Thiero ($1,272,870)
- Gabe Vincent ($11,500,000)
$130,984,006 of the lakers $194,817,805 total team salary is out injured tonight. pic.twitter.com/tfytCmzQSC
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) October 27, 2025
LeBron James is still out with sciatica, whilst superstar Luka Dončić is missing due to a left finger sprain and a leg contusion. Highly unfortunate after he averaged a ridiculous 46 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over 62% shooting to start the season. The good news for Laker fans is that the Slovenian guard is expected back in a week. His return is vital as the new face of the organization and one of the early league MVP favorites.
James’ return date is still in question. According to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin, he could be out for another three weeks as he’s targeting a mid-November return: “I’m told that we’re still in the range of about three more weeks before he would be targeting a return sometime in mid-November.”
Center Jaxson Hayes is out with a left patellar injury. Gabe Vincent is out, as are Adou Thiero and Maxi Kleber.
Marcus Smart, the former defensive player of the year for the Boston Celtics in 2021-22, has been dealing with a series of injuries since leaving the Celtics. He’s now suffering a right quad contusion.
That is a remarkable seven players out injured. Meaning the impetus will be on Reaves to build on his incredible 51 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in the game against the Kings. Also, center Deandre Ayton will look to build on his impressive 22 points and 15 rebounds in the same game.
Redick will need all hands on deck as he attempts to navigate this upcoming game with just seven available players, not including two-way players. They are severely short-handed facing the Blazers.
