Reeves misses his second consecutive game! Ayton responds on facing Wembanyama: It's like playing against a monster team

On November 6th Beijing time, the Lakers are set to face the Spurs at home. The team confirmed that Reeves (right groin soreness) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game. Although Reeves completed all shooting drills, his status shifted from questionable to out.

Both Reeves and Doncic were absent in the last game versus the Trail Blazers. Despite missing these two primary scorers, the Lakers managed an impressive win. However, Doncic did not appear on today’s injury report and is confirmed to play, while Reeves will miss at least one more game.

James (right sciatica), Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), Thybulle (recovering from left knee surgery), and Vincent (left ankle sprain) will remain out, but Hayes is available to play.

Facing the strong Spurs team led by Wembanyama, who started the season 5-1, Reeves’ absence will significantly increase the Lakers’ reliance on Doncic. So far this season, Reeves has delivered All-Star caliber performances, thriving alongside Doncic and stepping up even more when the latter was sidelined.

The chemistry between Reeves and Doncic has fully blossomed, elevating the Lakers’ overall performance early in the season. Together, they currently average a combined 72.4 points and 17.6 assists per game, making them nearly unstoppable. Now, it’s up to Doncic to lead the Lakers forward without Reeves.

It’s worth noting how head coach Reddick will allocate minutes among other guards—these players have shown strong performances recently while managing Reeves’ and Doncic’s injuries. Smart has become a key contributor with his energy, toughness, and hustle, but after Nick Smith Jr.’s 25-point outburst against the Trail Blazers, Reddick may also give him a more consistent role.

Of course, to contend with Wembanyama, the team will have to rely heavily on the interior. Speaking about the adjustments against Wembanyama, Ayton said, “It’s definitely me. Today I made some defensive tweaks to position myself as the core low-post defender every time, letting our guards physically challenge him when he has the ball or initiates plays. I stick close under him. I need to finish every possession, grab rebounds, and disrupt some of his shots.”

Ayton also added, “It feels quite novel, like going up against the monster team from ‘Space Jam.’ He’s incredible, truly a generational talent. He can do everything—being that tall yet agile and fast both with and without the ball. Defending him requires the whole team’s effort. So it’s also fun because everyone has to be involved; no one can guard him alone. Otherwise, he’ll find open shots and spaces to shoot or control the game with his height and skill. It really demands full team focus and a defense plan specifically designed for him.”

If the Lakers want to beat the Spurs to achieve a five-game winning streak and climb to second place in the Western Conference, it will take a collective team effort. But with Doncic on the court, this team has the capability to compete with any opponent.

Additionally, the Lakers will celebrate the Dodgers’ championship during the Spurs game. Dodgers members such as Mookie Betts and Will Smith will attend, as the Lakers honor the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series titles—the Dodgers successfully defended their crown by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a legendary seven-game series.