Lakers Lean on Reaves Without James, Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to face their rivals, the Boston Celtics, with a notable absence in their lineup. Neither LeBron James nor Luka Doncic will be available for Friday night's game. Doncic's absence stems from personal reasons, although he is expected to return potentially with renewed vigor as a new father.

In the wake of these absences, the Lakers are placing significant trust in D'Angelo Russell to lead the offensive charge. Russell demonstrated his capability in a recent game against the Toronto Raptors, where he recorded an impressive 44 points and 10 assists, even with James on the court.

With a high usage rate anticipated for Russell in this high-stakes rivalry game, the team will be looking for him to deliver a standout performance. The Lakers will await Doncic's return, but for now, their success against the Celtics will hinge on Russell's ability to carry the team.