Luka Doncic injury update is bad news for Lakers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic avoided a major injury against the Cleveland Cavaliers last Wednesday, as he was able to return to the contest after hurting his ankle on Cleveland’s raised court.
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Unfortunately, Doncic wasn’t as fortunate this time around, as the six-time All-Star suffered an apparent leg injury vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
“Luka Doncic headed straight back to the locker room after checking out at the 3:03 mark of the 2nd quarter. He was holding the back of his left leg. We’ll await an update,” Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell reported on X/Twitter.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the 26-year-old is out for the remainder of the game.
“Lakers say Luka Doncic is dealing with left leg soreness and will not return to tonight’s game,” Siegel stated.
The Lakers aren’t the same team without Doncic on the hardwood. Sure, it helps that Austin Reaves is finally back in the lineup after missing several games due to a calf strain. However, Doncic is the player that the Lakers’ offense is built around.
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From methodical isolation drives, to high-level pick-and-roll play regardless of who’s at center (Deandre Ayton or Jaxson Hayes), Doncic makes Los Angeles one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NBA.
The former Dallas Mavericks star is averaging 33.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game with the Lakers this season, shooting 47.5% from the field and 34.8% from three-point land.
Considering Doncic’s injury could cause him to miss multiple contests, it’s far from an ideal scenario.
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