Frank Pingue in Toronto, Reuters
LeBron James (L) and Luka Doncic Photo: AFP
With LeBron James sidelined, Luka Doncic opens the new NBA season as unquestioned leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Slovenian superstar eyeing a long-awaited MVP and hoping to turn his dominance into silverware for the storied franchise.
The 26-year-old guard enters his first full season in purple and gold after signing a three-year, $US165 (NZ$287m) million extension over the summer.
He is in top form, having led Slovenia to the EuroBasket quarter-finals, where he averaged a tournament-best 34.7 points per game.
Acquired in February in a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic made an immediate impact last season, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals over 28 regular-season games.
His arrival helped Los Angeles to 50 wins and a third seed in the Western Conference, though a first-round playoff exit sparked renewed debate about both his and the team's conditioning. Long criticized for inconsistent conditioning since his Dallas days, Doncic set out to change that narrative.
Over the summer, he revealed that he had adopted a stricter off season routine of gym work, on-court drills and improved nutrition: a regimen that led to a striking physical transformation and drew widespread attention.
"Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better," Doncic said in the July issue of Men's Health, where he appeared noticeably leaner on the cover.
Meanwhile, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has made physical and mental sharpness the foundation of his "championship-shape" mantra. "It's not just physical shape, it's mental shape too," Doncic said earlier this month of Redick's training camp focus.
"Both are very important. We're doing it in practice. Everybody's in great shape. Everybody's running a lot, so it's been great so far."
Chemistry test
Doncic's pre-season workload was kept light, featuring two outings - a 25-point effort in 22 minutes against the Suns and a 31-point display in 32 minutes against the Kings - both in losses as the Lakers dropped five of six pre-season games.
Building rhythm with the Lakers' revamped core remains crucial to their success this season, with new addition Deandre Ayton expected to become Doncic's main pick-and-roll partner. Yet their connection is still developing.
"I mean, it's probably just more (on) me," Doncic told The Athletic after their first run together against Phoenix.
"Obviously, (I'm) the guard with the ball... I know he likes the pocket, too. So I'm trying to get used to that."
In the backcourt, Austin Reaves continues to be a vital piece, his growing chemistry with Doncic offering Los Angeles a creative, shot-making duo capable of leading the attack in LeBron's absence.
How quickly the supporting cast gels could define the Lakers' early fortunes and determine whether "Luka Magic" can turn this opportunity into an MVP run, beginning Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Five storylines for the 2025-26 NBA season
LEBRON WATCH
For the first time in his career, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will miss his team's opening night match-up due to sciatica on his right side that could keep the NBA's all-time leading scorer sidelined until mid-November.
The 40-year-old James is 50 games away from breaking Robert Parish's record for most career regular season games. When he ultimately takes the court, he will be playing in his record-setting 23rd NBA season.
FLAGG DEBUT
Perhaps no other player will enter the season with loftier expectations than Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, who was the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and is already an overwhelming favourite to be named rookie of the year.
Flagg was the Mavericks' second-leading scorer during the preseason and is likely to be a key part of the line-up for a Dallas team that missed the playoffs last season after trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February.
LONG SHOTS
There could be a surge in end-of-quarter miracle heaves this season after the NBA approved a rule that ensures the long-range shots will not have any impact on an individual player's shooting percentage.
Under the new rule, shots attempted from a minimum of 36 feet away from the hoop and within the final three seconds of the first three quarters will count as a team shot attempt. The play must start in the backcourt.
BROTHERLY LOVE
Four-time NBA champion Steph Curry's hopes of playing on the same team as his younger brother Seth this season were put on hold as the latter was waived by the Golden State Warriors at the weekend.
The decision was considered temporary and the expectation is the Warriors will re-sign Seth when they have greater financial flexibility in November, a move that would allow the brothers to take an NBA court as teammates for the first time.
INTERNATIONAL GAMES
The NBA will stage three games outside of the United States and Canada this season as part of the league's ongoing push to grow the game globally.
Dallas and Detroit will meet in Mexico City on November 1 for the 34th NBA game played in Mexico. the most of any country outside of the US and Canada - before January games in Berlin and London featuring Memphis and Orlando.
- Reuters
