Lakers (7–2) vs. Hawks (4–5) | Game 10 of 82
📅 Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
⏰ Tip-off: 5 p.m. PST
📍 Location: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, GA
📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV.
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
Game Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers open a five-game road trip Saturday evening in Atlanta after surviving a 118–116 thriller over the Spurs on Wednesday to extend their win streak to five games.
The Lakers, who hold a 7-2 record and stand at No. 2 in the Western Conference, take on a 4-5 Hawks squad that will be without star PG Trae Young for the fifth consecutive game.
Young is currently rehabbing an MCL sprain he suffered against the Nets on Oct. 29. He’s projected to miss 15 games in four weeks till reevaluation.
The Lakers are also still shorthanded stars with LeBron James (sciatica) still sidelined and Austin Reaves (groin) to miss his third straight contest. Reaves’ groin soreness, which was the original injury that has kept him out, was changed to groin strain—which is something to monitor.
Meanwhile, Maxi Kleber was upgraded to available for the first time and will make his season debut in Atlanta after missing the first nine games.
L.A. will continue to lean heavily on Luka Dončić’s MVP-level play. The 26-year-old Slovenian has averaged 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists in five games he’s played this season, games the Lakers are 4-1 in.
The Hawks are still trying to find consistency early in the season. After a 1-3 start, Atlanta has won three of their last five games, looking to get back to .500 against the Lakers.
For L.A., role players have continued to step up. Deandre Ayton has posted double-doubles in three of his last four games, while Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura have provided timely defense and scoring in Reaves’ absence.
Injury Report
Lakers:
LeBron James — Out (right-side sciatica)
Austin Reaves — Out (groin strain)
Gabe Vincent — Out (ankle)
Maxi Kleber — Questionable (oblique)
Adou Thiero — Out (knee, South Bay assignment)
Hawks:
Kristaps Porziņģis — Out (illness)
Luke Kennard — Out (illness)
Nikola Durišić — Out (elbow)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker — Questionable (back)
What to Watch For
Dončić vs. Daniels:
Dyson Daniels’ defensive versatility will be tested against one of the league’s most unstoppable scorers. Dončić has picked apart defenses all season, and Daniels—one of the NBA’s premier on-ball defenders—will be tasked with trying to contain him, who leads the Hawks with 2.4 steals a game.
Jalen Johnson’s Two-Way Surge:
With Young out, Johnson has been Atlanta’s go-to option, leading the team with 20.4 points a game. Expect the Lakers to employ different defensive looks against him to try to slow him down.
Ayton’s Inside Advantage:
Ayton’s five straight double-doubles could continue against a depleted Hawks frontcourt. With Porziņģis out, Ayton has a chance to dominate the paint again—an area that’s fueled the Lakers’ recent success.
Threads for the Game
The Lakers will rock their white jerseys on the road, while the Hawks will wear their red Icon Edition uniforms.
#Lakers & Hawks threads in ATL tonight: pic.twitter.com/CwiVWysHk7
— Carlos Yakimowich (@CarlosYakJr) November 8, 2025
What’s Next
Following Saturday’s stop in Atlanta, the Lakers continue their road swing through Charlotte, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and Milwaukee—their longest trip of the season so far.