The Los Angeles Lakers will be without two key starters when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night as they continue their five-game road trip.

The Lakers will be missing forward Rui Hachimura and guard Marcus Smart for the second game of a back-to-back set, according to head coach JJ Redick's pregame injury report.

Injury Updates

Hachimura has been ruled out with left calf soreness after logging 35 minutes in Friday's 118-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

This marks the first game the 27-year-old has missed all season after starting in all 13 of the Lakers' previous contests. Hachimura has been a steady presence for Los Angeles, averaging a career-high 15.8 points per game on 57.7 percent shooting from the field this season.

Khobi Price (@khobi_price) on X Bronny James and Jake LaRavia are starting tonight for the Lakers in Milwaukee with Rui Hachimura (calf) and Marcus Smart (illness) not available

Smart, who played 34 minutes and scored 13 points in the win over New Orleans, has been listed as out due to a viral illness.

The defensive specialist has been a key addition for the Lakers this season, bringing toughness and energy on the defensive end while averaging 10.2 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.

The Lakers will also remain without LeBron James, who continues to manage sciatica and has yet to make his season debut. Guard Gabe Vincent remains sidelined with an ankle injury as well.

Challenge Against Milwaukee

Saturday's matchup presents a tough test for the Lakers, who are 9-4 on the season and facing the 8-5 Bucks on the road.

Both teams played Friday night, with Milwaukee needing overtime to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 147-134.

Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) on X JJ Redick said he doesn’t think Hachimura’s sore calf will be a lingering issue, but because it’s been sore, it made sense not to push him tonight on this second night of a B2B.

The back-to-back schedule adds another layer of difficulty for Los Angeles, who will be playing their second straight road game while the Bucks enjoy the rare luxury of staying home for consecutive contests.

With Hachimura and Smart out, the Lakers will need other players to step up alongside superstar Luka Doncic, who is averaging 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game this season. Doncic had 24 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds in Friday's victory over the Pelicans.

Who Steps Up?

Austin Reaves will be counted on heavily after his brilliant 31-point performance against New Orleans, where he led all Lakers scorers and added seven assists.

Center Deandre Ayton also delivered one of his best outings as a Laker with 20 points and 16 rebounds on Friday, and his presence will be crucial again against Milwaukee's frontcourt.

Head coach Redick is expected to turn to forward Jake LaRavia for increased minutes to help fill the void left by Hachimura's absence. LaRavia will need to provide frontcourt depth and versatility as the Lakers look to maintain their strong road record of 6-2 this season.

Khobi Price (@khobi_price) on X JJ Redick was wearing a custom Deandre Ayton shirt pregame. The front is Deandre's face mixed with a lion. "We want him to be the lion," Redick said.

The Lakers got back on track with their dominant win over a depleted Pelicans squad on Friday, but Saturday's game against the Bucks and stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will be a much tougher challenge.

After this game, Los Angeles will return home to face the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.

The Bucks and Lakers will tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, with the game broadcast on NBA TV.