The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with injuries to key players to start the season. LeBron James started the year on the injured list, then Luka Doncic picked up an injury after just two games.

Austin Reaves averaged a career-best 20.2 points per game last season, and he ramped it up to 22.8 points per game from February 1 through the end of the regular season. In three games played with Luka and without LeBron, he posted totals of 28, 30, and 22.

Lakers rookie Adou Thiero was cleared this week for live on-court contact work as part of his rehabilitation from left knee surgery.

Lakers vs Timberwolves best bet: Jaden McDaniels Over 16.5 points (-115) Jaden McDaniels has developed more of an offensive game than he is given credit for. Sure, he may have cleared this prop in only 19 of 82 games last season, but three of those 19 were the three games Anthony Edwards missed.

The Lakers will be shorthanded as they get set to take on the Portland Trail Blazers for their fourth game of the season.

A Los Angeles Lakers guard was spotted in a walking boot in what is a concerning injury update for a hampered lineup.

The Blazers are an explosive young team that has played some solid basketball to start the year, even in the midst of losing their head coach to gambling allegations, with a 1-2 record. Like the Lakers, they are also on the second night of a back-to-back after a 114-107 loss to the Clippers on Sunday.

After the initial stumble against the Golden State Warriors, the LA Lakers have stolen two back-to-back wins. And after a solid 127-120 win against the Sacramento Kings last night, the Lakers will host the Portland Trail Blazers in their first back-to-back game of the season.