Dave McMenamin Oct 21, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

Close

Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.

Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

WITH LESS THAN 30 minutes until tipoff before the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason game against the Golden State Warriors last week, Luka Doncic was the only player on the court.

While both rosters readied themselves in the locker rooms at T-Mobile Arena, Doncic -- given the night off by Lakers coach JJ Redick -- used every bit of the hardwood for a basket-to-basket battle against three of L.A.…