PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Luka Doncic returned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup Sunday night following an absence for the birth of his second child and Lebron James was back from injury — and again in the double-digit scoring column — for a game against Philadelphia.
Doncic missed the last two games as he traveled to his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia where fiancee Anamaria Golte gave birth to their daughter, Oliva. James sat out Friday night against Boston with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis.
James, who will turn 41 on Dec. 30, played 36 minutes in the Lakers’ 123-120 win over Toronto on Thursday night. The game saw the end of James’ streak of 1,297 double-digit scoring games when the NBA’s career points leader finished with only eight points.
On Sunday against the 76ers, James reached 10 points in the second quarter.
Lakers coach JJ Redick has two children with his wife, Chelsea, said he hoped Doncic would have enough energy to play after the long trip.
“We do know there was some travel involved to a different continent,” Reddick said. “We're hoping he's himself today.”
Doncic — who leads the league with 35.3 points in his first full season with the Lakers — had fans for both teams shouting congratulations as he ran onto the court for warmups.
Redick hoped Doncic would feel as rewarded as his family did when the Redicks welcomed a second child.
“If you're in a career with pressure and stakes and anxiety and all the things that come with being a high achiever, it can really ground you,” Reddick said. “It can give you a sense of purpose and perspective that maybe you didn't feel. I felt that with both my children. With Kai (his youngest), getting to be his night nurse for the first six, seven weeks of his life until the season started was one of the coolest experiences of my life.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James talks to a referee during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic warms up prior to an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith suffered a right shoulder injury against the Denver Broncos on Sunday and was replaced by Kenny Pickett at the start of the fourth quarter.
Smith did not return, and the Raiders lost 24-17.
“From what I understand, I didn’t see the play happen, but he got banged on his shoulder,” Raiders coach Pete Carroll said. “It’s just kind of jammed up right now. The early indications that they were able to get didn’t show any damage. His shoulder's really locked up, so we’ll see what that means.”
Smith finished 13 of 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Trainers were also seen working on Smith’s right hand before his final series.
“What I heard, he got his hand cut,” Carroll added. “And so they just had to stop the bleeding.”
Pickett, who previously appeared in two games this season — at Kansas City and at Denver — finished 8 of 11 for 97 yards and a touchdown.
“It felt good just to get into a rhythm and play a little bit,” Pickett said. “It’s definitely a challenge coming in off the bench and in the game, just trying to find a rhythm. Glad we got to get some points.”
Carroll said it was too early to speculate on Smith’s status for next weekend’s game at Philadelphia. Pickett won a Super Bowl ring as a backup with the Eagles last season.
“I’m going to do what I think is the right thing to do, and if Geno can play, that’s my thought,” Carroll said. “But I know Kenny can play, and so our players understood it too that Kenny did a good job, and they recognized that in the locker room after the game.
“I’m rooting for Geno to get back out there and see how he does. But we’re not gonna play him if he’s not right. So Kenny will be ready to go, and (third-string QB) Aidan (O’Connell) will be ready to go as well. And that’s how we’ll deal with it.”
The Raiders also lost defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly, who was carted off the field with a knee injury in the first half, and tight end Ian Thomas early in the fourth quarter with a calf injury.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto, middle, during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
