Luka Doncic is going back to work with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he's likely back to full speed as well. Coach JJ Redick says Doncic probably won't have a minutes restriction this week after his deliberate start to his Lakers tenure before the All-Star break.

The Los Angeles Lakers attempted to trade rookie Dalton Knecht, who lit up the preseason action, to the Charlotte Hornets for big man Mark Williams. However,

Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed his confusion and disappointment over the officiating. He stated that he “didn’t get a good explanation” for Reaves’ second technical foul, which ultimately forced the guard out of the game in the third quarter.

The win figures to put recent puzzling losses to the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets firmly in the rearview mirror and should give the Lakers some confidence as they set to embark on what is undoubtedly going to be the toughest portion of their 2024-25 schedule, with several back to backs over the next couple of weeks.

If you play hard every night, you have a chance to win,” the first-year coach said after the Lakers gave up an 18-point lead but still managed to win Thursday.

Although first-year coach JJ Redick has helped LeBron James and the Lakers win seven of their last nine games, Doncic has struggled in the three contests he's been available for with his new team. The Slovenian has been recovering from a calf injury he suffered on Christmas Day, forcing him to miss over a month of action.

Lakers coach JJ Redick issued a big challenge for Luka Doncic ahead of the team’s major game against the Nuggets.

JJ Redick praises LeBron James' dedication, calling him "one of the greatest competitors" despite a grueling NBA schedule.

James continues to mock the very concept of Father Time at age 40. Guard Austin Reaves, who had a stellar game of his own with 32 points and seven assists, said the NBA's all-time leading scorer "doesn't have anything else to prove."