The reason why the Lakers have benched Doncic in preseason

The Los Angeles Lakers have already begun preparations for the 2025/26 NBA season. However, the Los Angeles franchise is playing the first preseason games without their big star. Luka Doncic will rest due to his participation in the recent Eurobasket 2025.

The Lakers have decided not to include Luka Doncic in the first two preseason games, a move that, although expected, confirms the caution with which the Los Angeles franchise plans to manage the physical workload of their superstar, who has had injury problems in the past with the Dallas Mavericks.

The announcement came this Friday, just before the team's debut against the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, a game that marked the beginning of a 6-game preseason schedule. The second match will be against the Golden State Warriors this Sunday, in San Francisco, and the Slovenian star will also be absent.

According to the organization, the decision was made in agreement between Doncic, the coaching staff, and the Lakers' performance department after analyzing his recent participation in the EuroBasket 2025, where he led Slovenia with stellar performances.

Priority: preserving Doncic's health

At 26 years old, Luka Doncic is entering his first full season wearing purple and gold, and the franchise does not want to take unnecessary risks. The sports management and coach JJ Redick are clear that the project's success depends on keeping their leader in peak physical condition for a demanding schedule where chemistry with LeBron James and Austin Reaves will be put to the test from day one.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El motivo por el que los Lakers han sentado a Doncic en pretemporada