Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia shared insights on the difficulties of playing alongside Luka Doncic after their NBA Cup win over the Memphis Grizzlies. LaRavia highlighted Doncic's spectacular plays that distract even teammates on the court. The Lakers are 5-2 to start the 2025-26 season, driven by strong performances from Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a victory in their NBA Cup matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, extending their weekend record to 2-0 and improving to 5-2 overall in the 2025-26 season. The game was challenging, particularly at the end of the first half, but the team relied on Luka Doncic to pull through. It marked Doncic's first appearance since recovering from finger and leg injuries, where he delivered a standout performance.
Post-game, Lakers forward Jake LaRavia opened up about the unique challenges of sharing the court with Doncic. "Honestly, sometimes it’s hard playing with Luka because he’ll do a move that’s so crazy and I’ll want to react while I’m on the court and I can’t because I got to get back on defense," LaRavia said. He also praised the dynamic between Doncic and guard Austin Reaves, noting their leadership and impact.
"It’s so fun watching them play. They’re such talented players. AR and Luka, they lead the team every time we step out there on the court. They are just a force. It’s really tough to guard them," LaRavia added.
Doncic and Reaves have been pivotal, each averaging over 30 points per game to fuel the Lakers' strong start. In his last two games, Doncic averaged 36.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 38.5 minutes. Reaves' high production raises questions about sustainability once LeBron James returns from his sciatica injury. James, the team's second-best player, is approaching his 41st birthday and may not return to top-10 form immediately. For now, Doncic and Reaves are carrying the offensive load as the Lakers pursue their second NBA Cup title in three seasons.