Lakers Off to a Rocky Start Without LeBron James
In a disappointing season opener, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors 119-109 on Tuesday night, highlighting some early challenges for the team as they enter a new era centered around star acquisition Luka Doncic. This defeat comes at a particularly difficult time, as the Lakers are beginning the 2025-26 campaign without LeBron James, who is sidelined with sciatica in his right side and is expected to remain out until mid-November. The absence of James was clearly felt, as the team struggled to find its rhythm, particularly on the defensive end – an area that head coach JJ Redick had specifically emphasized as crucial to the team’s success this season.
The game revealed concerning defensive lapses that Redick later addressed in post-game comments. “We did a poor job of locating the lasers in transition, which was a point of emphasis of our defense,” Redick noted with frustration. He specifically called out moments when Warriors shooters like Buddy Hield and Stephen Curry were left open for three-pointers, despite transition defense being “literally the second priority of the game.” This defensive breakdown is particularly worrying since Redick has repeatedly stressed that team cohesiveness on defense would be non-negotiable if the Lakers hope to contend this season. The coach’s candid criticism suggests these issues have already been a focus in team film sessions, with players and coaching staff actively discussing how to address these shortcomings.
For Doncic, this rocky start represents his first real challenge as the new face of the Lakers franchise. Without James alongside him, the Slovenian superstar is being tested early in his tenure in purple and gold. The dynamic between Doncic and James was expected to be the cornerstone of the Lakers’ championship aspirations this season, but James’ injury has forced an immediate pivot in strategy. Now, Doncic must navigate these early games while the team adjusts to playing without their veteran leader, whose absence was visibly apparent as he sat on the bench in street clothes during Tuesday’s defeat.
The defensive struggles highlighted in the opener could signal deeper issues for the Lakers to address. Without James’ leadership on the court, the team appeared disorganized at times, particularly in transition situations where communication breakdowns led to open looks for Warriors shooters. These moments directly contradicted Redick’s game plan, which had specifically prioritized limiting transition opportunities for Golden State’s sharpshooters. The fact that these breakdowns occurred in areas the coaching staff had specifically emphasized raises questions about the team’s execution and focus, especially in high-pressure moments against elite competition.
Beyond the defensive concerns, the loss also spotlights the immense pressure on the Lakers organization as a whole. The franchise is attempting to balance honoring their illustrious history while transitioning to their next generation of leadership. With James in the twilight of his career, the organization has clearly identified Doncic as their future centerpiece, but Tuesday’s performance suggests that transition may not be as seamless as hoped. The Lakers have long been defined by championship expectations, and anything less than legitimate title contention is viewed as disappointment by their passionate fanbase. Tuesday’s opener did little to inspire confidence that this current roster, at least without James, is ready to meet those lofty standards.
The Lakers will have an opportunity to address these issues and regroup when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. This early-season matchup presents a chance for redemption and for the team to demonstrate that the opening night struggles were merely growing pains rather than systemic problems. How they respond will be telling – can Doncic assert himself as the leader this team needs in James’ absence? Will Redick’s emphasis on defensive cohesion translate to improved performance? And perhaps most importantly, can this Lakers team find ways to remain competitive during this challenging stretch without their veteran superstar? The answers to these questions will begin to shape the narrative around this new chapter in Lakers history, one that began with more questions than answers after Tuesday’s disappointing debut.
