Doncic to do 'whatever it takes' in LeBron James' absence - ESPN

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — While LeBron James is expected to be sidelined to begin the season as he recovers from sciatica on the right side of his body, the Los Angeles Lakers' other superstar, Luka Doncic, said he doesn't feel compelled to do more in James' absence.

«I don't view it that way,» Doncic said after practice Saturday. «I just want to play basketball. If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes for me to get a win.»

So far without James and Doncic, the Lakers are winless in the preseason, going 0-2 against Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

L.A. hosts Golden State in a preseason rematch Sunday, and Lakers coach JJ Redick said it is still being determined if Doncic will play.

Sunday starts a stretch of three preseason games in four days for the Lakers, continuing with a road game against Phoenix on Tuesday and the second night of a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Redick said Doncic would play in two of L.A.'s remaining four preseason games.

Doncic was a full participant on Saturday after having his workload modified all week, to save the 26-year-old guard some wear and tear after he played for the Slovenia in EuroBasket this summer.

«I had [the] national team,» Doncic explained. «Playing one month or something of basketball [for Slovenia]. Obviously it's a long season ahead, so just because of that.»

Now Redick has his work cut out for him trying to fill in for James while he is sidelined for the next 3-4 weeks before his sciatica is scheduled to be reevaluated.

«You hope that he's back soon,» Redick said. «Those things can be tricky.… It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be, that's the reality, until he is back. We'll have to figure that out.»

Doncic, guard