The Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns were already a headline matchup. Now, the story centers on who is available, for how long, and what that means on every possession. Ahead of the Dec. 23 game, both teams carried a long list of status updates that could tilt rotations, change tempo, and decide late-game strategy.

Per the latest injury report: Luka Dončić is out for the Lakers with a lower left leg contusion. Austin Reaves is questionable with a left calf strain. Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness) and Gabe Vincent (lumbar strain) are out. On the Suns’ side, Grayson Allen has been ruled out for a third straight game due to right knee injury management. The Suns entered the night 15–13, and Allen’s last action came on Dec. 14 against these same Lakers, where he tallied 13 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Jalen Green is expected back soon from a right hamstring strain.

The injury ledger: who’s in, who’s out

The facts shape the chessboard. The Lakers will be without Dončić, a primary creator who changes how defenses load up in the half court. They may or may not have Reaves, whose status will likely be monitored up to game time. Hachimura and Vincent are out, shrinking frontcourt and backcourt options.

The Suns again miss Allen, a spacer and play connector who has been a reliable two-way guard this season. Without him for a third straight night, Phoenix must re-allocate shots and perimeter assignments. Green’s return is on the horizon, but cautious hamstring timelines usually mean no rushing.

“If Dončić is out, who carries the half-court load now?”

What Dončić’s absence means for the Lakers

Without Dončić, the Lakers lose a go-to scorer and one of the league’s most patient pick-and-roll engines. That impacts pace and shot quality. Expect more by-committee creation, with extra touches for secondary ball handlers and wings who can attack closeouts.

It also stresses lineup flexibility. Coaches may lean on lineups that value defense and rebounding, trying to keep the game in the 95–105 possession range and limit live-ball turnovers. The margin for error in late-clock situations gets thinner without an A-list isolation option.

Austin Reaves questionable: the swing piece

Reaves is a connector. He can dribble, pass, and shoot. He slides between roles, and that helps the Lakers keep structure when stars sit. If he plays, even on a minutes limit, the ball should move cleaner, and set actions will have more rhythm. If he sits, the Lakers will need extra ball security and more drive-and-kick to create open looks.

His left calf strain is the kind of soft-tissue issue teams treat carefully. Expect the training staff to test it pregame and reassess at halftime if he suits up. The staff’s first goal will be avoiding setbacks.

“Reaves feels like the swing vote; with him, the floor just breathes.”

Suns without Grayson Allen: spacing and edge

Allen’s absence has a ripple effect. He stretches the floor from deep and takes tough defensive matchups. Without him, Phoenix must find threes elsewhere and protect the arc with different personnel. That can shift the Suns toward more mid-range touches or extra paint pressure, depending on how they stagger minutes.

His last outing on Dec. 14 vs. the Lakers showed his value beyond scoring: 7 assists and 3 steals. Those are possession-winning plays. Replacing that mix often requires two players: one to shoot; one to disrupt.

“Allen sitting again changes the math from deep—closeouts matter.”

Jalen Green nearing return: what it signals

The Suns expect Jalen Green back soon from a right hamstring strain. That’s encouraging, but hamstrings demand patience. Even once active, teams often build back minutes step by step. The bigger takeaway is psychological: teammates know help is on the way, and that can steady rotations in the near term.

How the matchup could shift: tempo, rotations, and looks

With Dončić out and Allen sidelined, both teams might simplify. Expect more set plays, fewer risky passes, and an emphasis on transition defense. The first team to protect the ball and control the glass will likely set the tone.

The Lakers may push more drive-and-kick actions to manufacture threes and free throws. The Suns may leverage ball movement to create corner looks and late-clock bailouts. Foul trouble for any primary ball handler could be a tipping point, especially if Reaves is limited or sits.

Key battlegrounds to watch

• Perimeter shooting without Allen: Can Phoenix replace those catch-and-shoot threes?
• Lakers’ half-court creation without Dončić: Who initiates when the clock gets low?
• Reaves’ availability: If he plays, does he close? If he sits, who becomes the outlet?
• Turnover margin: Short-handed groups must value each possession.
• Bench surge: With Hachimura and Vincent out, the Lakers’ second unit must find reliable points.

Big-picture stakes

For the Suns, a 15–13 record suggests a team trying to stack momentum. Keeping pace without Allen can build confidence and define roles that last even when everyone is healthy. For the Lakers, the night is about resilience. Can they manage the game, stay organized, and finish possessions despite missing key creators?

It’s not just who plays—it’s who adapts faster. On nights like this, the details matter more: defensive communication, weak-side rotations, and boxing out. Win two of those three, and you usually win the game.

One final note: soft-tissue injuries and knee management plans rarely follow a straight line. Expect conservative minutes if questionable players suit up, and expect coaches to hold timeouts for quick in-game resets. The team that stays calm within those limits will have the edge.

Bottom line: the headline names on the report shape the plan, but the margin will come from role players. Watch how each side handles the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. That stretch will reveal whether the Lakers can solve their creation puzzle and whether the Suns can find enough shooting without Allen.

However it breaks, this is a test of depth, patience, and poise—and a reminder that in the NBA, availability is often the first matchup.