Luka Doncic Talks Lakers' 'Next Man Up' Mentality with LeBron James Out amid Injury

Luka Dončić says the Los Angeles Lakers need to embrace a "next man up" mentality while preparing to start the 2025-26 season without LeBron James.

The Lakers announced Thursday that James, who has not yet participated in training camp, will be sidelined for at least three to four more weeks with sciatica on his right side.

"It's a big change. He's a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be next man up," Dončić said Saturday (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin).

When asked if James being out will leave him to take on a higher workload, Dončić answered, "No, I don't think so.

He added: "I just want to play basketball. If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes for me to get a win."

While Dončić's role might remain similar in James' absence, at least one Lakers bench player will need to step into the starting lineup alongside Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton.

Head coach JJ Redick said Saturday that the Lakers have not game-planned yet, and that he is not yet sure who will be replacing James in the starting lineup.

"It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be. That's the reality, until he's back," Redick said Saturday (h/t McMenamin). "We'll have to figure that out."

James, who is set to become the first player in NBA history to compete in 23 seasons once he makes his 2025-26 debut, has not played an 82-game campaign since 2018.

Given that it's likely James will be sitting out games even after he returns from his current injury, Redick will need to be prepared to take on opponents both with and without the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Redick said Saturday that the Lakers could "potentially" plan two starting lineups this season, for both when James is available and when he is not.

At least for now Redick will hope Dončić can lead the Lakers offense when the regular season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 21 against the visiting Golden State Warriors.