Why LeBron James, Luka Doncic are not playing vs Celtics today. Lakers give latest update
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without two of their top stars, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, against the Boston Celtics
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without two of their top stars, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, against the Boston Celtics on Friday. Another star player absent from the game is Marcus Smart. The Lakers shared their latest injury report just hours before the game.
Why LeBron James and Luka Doncic are not playing vs the Celtics
James is sidelined with right sciatica and left knee arthritis, the same issues that have limited him for most of the season. Smart is out because of a left lumbar muscle strain, while Doncic remains in Slovenia following the birth of his second child.
The absence comes just one night after James’ long-running streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games, which had been intact since 2007, came to a dramatic halt. Sitting on eight points in a tie game against Toronto, James passed up a final shot and instead found Rui Hachimura, who drilled the deciding 3-pointer.
James was fully aware that if Hachimura scored, the streak would end. But Hachimura, in that moment, gave the Lakers the best chance of winning, James figured. And James didn’t hesitate to fire the pass.
“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James said. “That’s just been my M.O. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”
Injuries have defined James’ season so far. He has appeared in only six of the Lakers’ 21 games, and his 14.0 points per game mark the lowest scoring average of his career by a wide margin. The only year that comes close is his rookie campaign in 2003-04, when he posted 20.9 points over 79 games.
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
1. LeBron James
Injury: Right sciatica; left foot joint arthritis
Latest Update: 12/05/25
Status: Out for 12/05/25
2. Luka Doncic
Injury: Personal
Latest Update: 12/05/25
Status: Out for 12/05/25
3. Marcus Smart
Injury: Left lumbar muscle strain
Latest Update: 12/05/25
Status: Out for 12/05/25
(With inputs from the Associated Press)
