Luka Dončić Returns as Lakers Visit Hawks in Atlanta Without Austin Reaves
The Los Angeles Lakers bring a five-game winning streak into Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, for a regular-season showdown against the surging Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. The Hawks vs Lakers game features the return of superstar guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles lineup after he was cleared from a back injury, handing head coach JJ Redick a major boost on the road during the 2026-27 NBA season.
However, the backcourt picture for Los Angeles remained uncertain until just hours before game time. The New York Post reported six hours before tipoff that while Dončić was returning, the status of his backcourt co-star was still in question. ClutchPoints subsequently confirmed that guard Austin Reaves was officially ruled out of uniform for the Hawks vs Lakers clash due to an illness. The former Oklahoma Sooners star was not the only backcourt loss, as ESPN reported that Quentin Grimes was also ruled out with a sprained finger. Yahoo Sports noted that while Dončić’s injury update provided a major lift, the absence of two key backcourt players complicated plans for the visiting team. Heavy reported that the Lakers released their final starting lineup and injury report only after the final ruling on Reaves was handed down.
Roster changes and betting projections
The host Hawks bring strong momentum of their own into State Farm Arena, with Jalen Johnson and Ziaire Williams featuring in the home rotation. AOL.com reported that the Lakers’ five-game winning streak would face a serious test against Atlanta’s surging squad. Soaring Down South reported prior to tipoff that Dončić’s health status had been a central concern for Atlanta’s defensive preparations, making his return a critical element of Monday’s game plan.
The matchup prompted extensive interest from sports analysts and predictive models. SportsLine’s model released its 2026 NBA picks and best bets for Monday night after Dončić was confirmed available despite his back issue. Analyst Geoff Clark on Covers.com published picks that included taking Atlanta on the moneyline, along with individual player props for Ziaire Williams’ points and Aaron Wiggins’ three-pointers. Syracuse.com also reported that experts released predictions, projected box scores, and Underdog Pick’em props centered around Dončić and Reaves before Reaves was officially sidelined by illness.
Viewing options and state of play
The game presents a tough depth test for JJ Redick, who must attempt to extend Los Angeles’ five-game winning streak while managing a shorthanded guard rotation without Reaves and Grimes on the floor. Athlon Sports detailed viewing options for the regular-season meeting, outlining TV channels and live stream options for fans watching the 2026-27 NBA contest during the Hawks vs Lakers road trip.
Final starting lineups were submitted at State Farm Arena shortly before tipoff, placing Dončić back at the center of the Los Angeles attack while Atlanta relies on its home crowd to disrupt the visiting team’s momentum.
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