“If I stop now, it was all for nothing.” That’s been Luka Doncic’s mantra since joining the LA Lakers, focused on winning his first championship. His mission started strong with back-to-back 40-point games, but momentum quickly stalled after he sprained his left finger against Minnesota on October 24. Ruled out for at least a week, Doncic has yet to complete a full slate of games, leaving fans wondering if he’ll play tonight.

Unfortunately, Luka Doncic’s status remains uncertain, but there’s some sign of his return. Tonight, the Lakers are heading into the opening NBA Cup showdown with the Memphis Grizzlies, and according to the latest injury report, the superstar guard is upgraded to probable. The Lakers’ number 77 was out of Los Angeles’ last three games with a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion. There’s one more important update on the Slovenian.

Luka was seen practicing on the court in Memphis. In the video, he was seen dribbling and attempting a few dunks. Could this mean he will probably appear with restricted minutes? The Lakers have been careful with his injury recovery so far, given that the entire season is ahead, but a few crucial minutes can be on the cards.

Even with the brief stint, Doncic’s impact on the Lakers has been electric, especially in the absence of LeBron James. Through just two appearances, he averaged an astonishing 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists. 62% of his shots were converting, while showing glimpses of the same unstoppable pace he promised before the season began. In those opening games, he became the first Laker and fourth player in NBA history to post consecutive 40-point. Beyond Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ injury report paints a worrying picture.

Gabe Vincent has ankle issues and is expected to miss a couple of weeks’ games, besides Maxi Kleber, who is out due to an oblique strain. Marcus Smart is nursing a quadriceps issue, but can suit up tonight. In their absence, it is Austin Reaves who has taken it upon himself to lead the pack. He is averaging 34.2 points per game. Expect the Lakers to run more of the offense through him, while the team waits for Doncic to fully recover.

Just like Los Angeles, the Memphis Grizzlies will also enter the Halloween clash far from full strength. The Grizzlies’ injury list includes Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Zach Edey, all of whom have been ruled out, whereas GG Jackson is questionable.

Still, Memphis has started the season on a solid note. They stand at 3-2 behind the steady two-way play of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Predicted Starting Fives

Here is a list of the predicted starting fives for the Lakers vs Grizzlies Match-up. The Grizzlies appear to hold a slight advantage.

Where to Watch the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Game

The Lakers are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies in their NBA Cup group-stage matchup. Both teams enter with similar strengths. The Grizzlies will rely on the electric pairing of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will look to Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura to carry the offensive load. And if you’re planning to catch the action, here’s everything you need to know about where and when to tune in.

Date: Friday, October 31, 2025

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. CT)

Location: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee

Where to Watch: Nationally on Prime Video as part of the 2025 NBA Cup group-play broadcast schedule.

What Los Angeles has in store much depends on whether Doncic is cleared to return. Expect a high-energy contest, one that could swing either way.