Getty
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after being hit in the stomach area by Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) last in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers will receive a much-needed offensive boost Saturday night following troubling injury news surrounding Luka Dončić.
Newly acquired guard Luke Kennard is expected to make his Lakers debut in Saturday’s ABC primetime matchup against the Golden State Warriors, after clearing medical evaluations stemming from Thursday’s trade deadline deal.
According to Lakers reporter Jovan Buha, the team confirmed Kennard’s availability following the completion of league-required medicals, officially opening the door for his first appearance in purple and gold.
Lakers Trade Deadline Move Brings NBA’s Top 3-Point Shooter
Los Angeles acquired Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for veteran guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The move addresses one of the Lakers’ most glaring needs. Kennard enters the weekend leading the NBA in three-point shooting at 49.7%, providing immediate spacing for a team ranked 23rd in three-point attempts (34.1 per game) and 21st in percentage (34.9%).
While Kennard does not fit the traditional 3-and-D mold Los Angeles explored at the deadline, his elite shooting efficiency offers a tactical counterbalance for a roster often starved for perimeter scoring consistency.
Mixed Reaction Follows Kennard Trade
The acquisition drew swift reaction across the league, including criticism from former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas, who questioned the Lakers’ direction shortly after the trade was reported.
“At this point, I’m just going to take matters into my own hands,” Arenas said on social media. “Every hooper that can still hoop, we’re going to go down to Crypto Center and we’re just going to go try out. What happened to the names? The names made the Lakers…He was a Clipper before! [expletive] him!”
Despite the backlash, the Lakers view Kennard as a targeted skill addition rather than a defensive anchor — particularly important with Dončić sidelined.
Luka Dončić Ruled Out vs Warriors With Hamstring Strain
Dončić will miss Saturday’s matchup against Golden State after being ruled out with a left hamstring strain, the team announced. The All-Star guard exited Thursday’s 119–115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers late in the second quarter and did not return.
Initially labeled as left leg soreness, head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Dončić underwent an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the injury.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, there was cautious optimism early Friday that Dončić was not dealing with a significant hamstring issue.
Dončić leads the NBA in scoring at 32.8 points per game, while also averaging 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds. He has already missed eight games this season due to leg-related injuries, with the Lakers posting a 4–4 record in those contests.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst Outlines Stakes for Lakers
Speaking on Friday on Get Up, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst emphasized that the MRI results will dictate the Lakers’ short-term outlook.
“It really comes down to, is this a mild strain, a first-degree?” Windhorst said. “If that’s the case, the All-Star break comes next week, and he could be back without missing too many games. If it’s a more serious Grade 2, now you’ve got a bigger problem.”
Windhorst noted that Dončić’s recent injury history heightens concern if imaging reveals anything more than a minor strain.
Redick Praises Kennard’s Fit in Lakers’ Offense
With Dončić sidelined, Los Angeles is expected to lean heavily on LeBron James and Austin Reaves to shoulder the offensive load — while integrating Kennard immediately into the rotation.
Redick expressed enthusiasm about the newest addition.
“Excited about Luke,” Redick said. “I’ve known him for about 12 years now, and I think he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. I’m going to highly encourage him to shoot more and not turn down shots.”
Redick also highlighted Kennard’s off-ball intelligence.
“One of the underrated parts of his game is his ability to move and create second actions,” Redick said. “You can initiate offense through off-ball movement, and he’ll make the right play and get the offense going.”
As the Lakers navigate Dončić’s absence, Kennard’s shooting gravity could quickly become a stabilizing force — and a critical test case for Los Angeles’ deadline strategy.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories
