Sports · Basketball · 5 hrs ago
Lakers begin Doncic era with questions about team chemistry and life without LeBron
The Los Angeles Lakers begin the 2026–27 season with Luka Dončić at the center of a revamped roster.
The team faces questions about its chemistry and whether it can perform better without LeBron James.
Dončić said the new group is still learning to play together, and he could not predict how long that adjustment would take.
The 27-year-old guard said he was healthy after an injury cut short his previous season.
Asked about leadership, Dončić left it to teammates to judge his role and said he was focused on playing.
How quickly the Lakers gel matters as they start an 82-game regular season.
They open against the Golden State Warriors at crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.
Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to begin the 2026–27 NBA regular season with new teammates still learning to play together.
Doncic said he could not predict how much patience the team would need as it builds chemistry.
He deferred to his teammates when asked how they view his leadership.
Doncic said he is healthy after an injury cut his previous season short.
The Lakers open their season against the Golden State Warriors at crypto.com Arena.
- Who
- Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
- What
- The Lakers are beginning a new season with questions about team chemistry and leadership.
- When
- The 2026–27 regular season opens Wednesday. Doncic spoke after Monday’s practice.
- Where
- The Lakers play the Golden State Warriors at crypto.com Arena.
- Why
- The roster has many new players, and key starters are still learning how to play together.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Lakers shifted their focus to the 2026–27 regular season.
Doncic discussed team chemistry, health and his role on the revamped roster.
The Lakers are scheduled to open the season against the Golden State Warriors at crypto.com Arena.
- Season
- 2026–27 NBA regular season
- Opening opponent
- Golden State Warriors
- Opening venue
- crypto.com Arena
- Doncic’s age
- 27
- Doncic’s status
- He said he is healthy after an injury cut his previous year short.
3 sources
What people are saying
I don’t know how much patience is going to be needed
I think that’s the question for other people, how this team sees a leader
I’m just my own leader. Like I’ve said, I’ve been in these situations a lot, but I think I’m doing a great job with this group.
Excited to start playing
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