Lakers' Surprising Record Without LeBron James Emerges After NBA Star Misses Knicks Game

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves have led the Lakers to an 8-2 record in 10 games without LeBron James this season.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Los Angeles Lakers took on the New York Knicks on Sunday without an injured LeBron James. Despite James' absence, the Lakers duo of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves stepped up and led the team to a 110-97 victory over the Knicks. This win marked the 8th victory in 10 games for Dončić and Reaves without James this season, showcasing their ability to excel even in the absence of the Lakers' superstar.

Why it matters

The Lakers' strong performance without LeBron James has surprised many, as the team has proven it can win games even without its superstar. This raises questions about the team's long-term future and whether they can continue to succeed if James were to leave the team in the offseason.

The details

Luka Dončić had a dominant game, scoring 35 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and recording 2 steals. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves also had an impressive all-around performance, putting up 25 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block. Together, Dončić and Reaves have led the Lakers to an 8-2 record in the 10 games they've played without LeBron James this season, showcasing their ability to step up in his absence.

  • On March 9, 2026, the Lakers defeated the Knicks 110-97 without an injured LeBron James.
  • On March 7, 2026, James suffered a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis injury during the Lakers' game against the Denver Nuggets.

The players

LeBron James

A 41-year-old NBA superstar and one of the greatest players of all time, currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Luka Dončić

A 27-year-old Slovenian basketball player who is a star for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Austin Reaves

A 24-year-old American basketball player who is a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Lakers' ability to win games without LeBron James, led by the impressive performances of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, raises questions about the team's long-term future and whether they can continue to succeed even if James were to leave the team in the offseason.