Luka Doncic and the Lakers seem to have dodged a bullet after the star guard left Thursday night’s game against the 76ers early.
Doncic didn’t play in the Lakers’ primetime game on Saturday against the Warriors. On Friday, coach JJ Redick mentioned that Doncic was scheduled for an MRI due to soreness in his left hamstring.
This could be seen as somewhat reassuring, as updates from teams usually come when a player is expected to be out for a longer period.
Reports suggest there’s hope that Doncic isn’t facing a “significant” injury, which is positive news for both him and the Lakers. This optimism, especially after he kicked the scorer’s table in frustration while exiting the game, is somewhat comforting.
That said, there’s still some uncertainty regarding how long he might be sidelined.
Is it just day to day? A week?
And with the All-Star weekend approaching in just a week, it raises the question of whether he could be out longer since the Lakers don’t play again until February 20th.
More definitive answers are expected to come during Redick’s pregame media availability on Saturday afternoon, but early indications suggest Doncic’s absence might not last long.
The Lakers have repeatedly shown they can perform well even in the absence of their star players.
Austin Reeves proved once again how vital he is to the team, scoring an impressive 35 points against the 76ers just two games after returning from a 19-game absence due to a strained left calf.
He led the Lakers in a comeback victory, contributing significantly in the second half despite Doncic and LeBron James also being on the roster.
Reeves did it in various ways—driving to the basket, hitting catch-and-shoots, and nailing pull-up three-pointers, showcasing that he’s regaining his rhythm.
However, if Doncic is out for an extended period, the Lakers won’t only rely on Reeves returning to form.
LeBron James is also available and appears to be in a better groove than during the last stretch when Doncic missed multiple games back in December. At that time, James was still working through injuries and missed significant games.
Now, James seems to be syncing well, and lineups that don’t include both Reaves and Doncic are performing effectively, reflecting a toughness that was evident in Thursday’s game.
This season, the Lakers are 4-4 in the eight games Doncic has missed, which is quite a contrast to their 27-15 record when he plays.
Luke Kennard’s debut with the Lakers is in doubt as he remains listed as “pending trade”. Additionally, the Warriors will not have their star guard, Stephen Curry, for the upcoming match.
