Luke Kennard Poised for Key Role as Lakers Face Challenges Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

On Easter Sunday, the American Airlines Center stage seemed unusually bare, missing several of its brightest stars. While LeBron James was present, and 19-year-old sensation Cooper Flagg showcased his talent on the opposite end, notable absences were felt. Fans expected the return of Luka Doncic to Dallas, but he was missing, along with Austin Reaves and Kyrie Irving.

With these key players sidelined, the opportunity arose for others on the Los Angeles Lakers to step into the spotlight. One such player looking to make his mark is Luke Kennard.

For the Lakers, this situation transcends merely enduring a period without their top scorers, who combined, average a formidable 58 points per game. Instead, it’s about crafting a new team identity that can carry them through the rest of the regular season and into the initial NBA playoff rounds.

“Both those guys are going to try and come back,” Lakers head coach J.J. Redick commented regarding Doncic and Reaves. “It’s our responsibility to extend the season so they have that chance.”

Despite playing without their key playmakers, the Lakers struggled against the Dallas Mavericks, succumbing to a 134-128 defeat. However, amidst the loss, Luke Kennard’s performance provided a glimmer of hope.

The former 12th overall pick in the 2017 Draft was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 5 for Gabe Vincent and a future second-round pick. Kennard was always seen as a luxury for the Lakers, a spot-up shooter off the bench that could improve their paltry three-point percentage. 

Thrust into the starting lineup at point guard in place of Doncic, Kennard was suddenly asked to do something he hasn’t done before in his nine-year career: become a playmaker. 

Entering the game, Kennard was averaging 8.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Through two-and-a-half quarters on Sunday, he had his first career triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. He also had the highest rating out of any Lakers player on the floor with a +8.

“It’s an encouraging sign. He did a nice job,” said Redick of Kennard’s performance. “Him playing 41 minutes and having to handle the ball that much is not a normal thing for him…but he did some amazing things.”

Before we get carried away, it’s worth noting that one game does not erase years of precedent. Kennard has built his career as a three-point specialist. A sniper that can hide in the corner, and space the floor. Asking him to morph into any version of Luka Doncic is not just ambitious, but it borders on reckless.

But honestly, what other choice do the Lakers have?

Without Doncic and Reaves, the offense doesn’t just shrink, it collapses inward. The geometry changes. A 41-year-old James will be asked to shoulder the offensive load, but he can’t have the ball in his hands for 48 straight minutes. And unless someone stretches the floor not just with shooting, but with decision-making, this team becomes predictable. Easy to guard. Easy to beat.

“We’re going to play lineups that haven’t played together all season,” said Redick before the game. “All the guys know that we need to step up. We need all hands on deck.”

One of those hands has to be Kennard. 

He has to be aggressive. Not selectively. Consistently. That means hunting his shot, not waiting for it. That means turning a closeout into a drive, not a swing pass. That means reading the second defender, manipulating weak-side help, and delivering passes that create advantage—not just maintain it. Sunday was a promising start, especially when he threw a lob to James on the break in the third quarter.

But if the Lakers think they can outscore teams without Doncic and Reaves, they’re fooling themselves. This team’s margin for error just evaporated. Effort, communication, physicality—those aren’t optional now, they’re survival tools. And while Kennard’s offensive evolution is a must, his defensive engagement might quietly be just as critical.