Luke Kennard Poised for Key Role as Lakers Face Challenges Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

With key players sidelined, the Lakers look to Kennard to step up and help the team stay afloat.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:23am

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The Los Angeles Lakers are facing challenges with the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, two of their top scorers. In their absence, Luke Kennard is being asked to expand his game and become more of a playmaker, a role he has not typically filled in his nine-year NBA career. Kennard's performance in the Lakers' recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks, where he recorded his first career triple-double, provided a glimmer of hope, but the Lakers know they need more from him to stay competitive without their star players.

Why it matters

The Lakers' margin for error has shrunk significantly with the loss of Doncic and Reaves. The team's offense and defense have both struggled, and they need Kennard to step up and become a more well-rounded player to help them stay afloat in the playoff race.

The details

Kennard, a former 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft, was acquired by the Lakers in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks in February. He has built his career as a three-point specialist, but with Doncic and Reaves out, the Lakers are asking him to become more of a playmaker and take on a larger role in the offense. In the Lakers' recent loss to the Mavericks, Kennard recorded his first career triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists.

  • On Easter Sunday, the Lakers faced the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
  • Kennard was acquired by the Lakers in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 5.

The players

Luke Kennard

A 29-year-old guard who was acquired by the Lakers in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks in February. Kennard has built his career as a three-point specialist but is now being asked to expand his game and become more of a playmaker with the absences of Doncic and Reaves.

LeBron James

A 41-year-old superstar who will be asked to shoulder more of the offensive load with Doncic and Reaves out.

Luka Doncic

A 19-year-old sensation and one of the Lakers' top scorers, who was absent from the game against the Mavericks.

Austin Reaves

Another key Lakers player who was absent from the game against the Mavericks.

J.J. Redick

The Lakers' head coach, who commented on the team's responsibility to extend the season so that Doncic and Reaves have a chance to return.

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What they’re saying

“Both those guys are going to try and come back. It's our responsibility to extend the season so they have that chance.”

— J.J. Redick, Lakers head coach

“It's an encouraging sign. He did a nice job. Him playing 41 minutes and having to handle the ball that much is not a normal thing for him...but he did some amazing things.”

— J.J. Redick, Lakers head coach

“We're going to play lineups that haven't played together all season. All the guys know that we need to step up. We need all hands on deck.”

— J.J. Redick, Lakers head coach

“Missing those two guys is a big change. We did some really good things offensively, but it has to be defense for us. That's what we have to hang our hat on going forward.”

— Luke Kennard, Lakers player

“It's something I've never really done, being that involved and having the ball in my hands that much. I have to be better with it. The shots are going to fall, but it's about getting everyone connected and being organized out there and just being confident with it. It's something I'm looking forward to getting better with.”

— Luke Kennard, Lakers player

What’s next

The Lakers will need to continue to rely on Luke Kennard to expand his game and take on a larger playmaking role in the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The team's defense will also need to improve if they hope to stay competitive and extend their season so that Doncic and Reaves have a chance to return.

The takeaway

The Lakers' season is at a critical juncture, and they are relying on Luke Kennard to step up and become a more well-rounded player to help the team stay afloat without their two top scorers. Kennard's performance in the loss to the Mavericks was encouraging, but the Lakers know he will need to sustain that level of play for them to have a chance at making the playoffs.