Oklahoma City Game a Tough Break for Lakers
Thursday evening at Paycom Center was a tough night for the Lakers.
Star guard Luka Doncic had to leave the game due to a left hamstring injury during the third quarter, as the team faced a setback against the Thunder.
User reaction was caught when Doncic limped off after trying to drive past Thunder’s Jaylen Williams, eventually landing next to the Thunder’s bench. Coach J.J. Redick stopped the game and ejected Doncic.
Redick mentioned that Doncic would undergo an MRI on Friday to assess how serious the injury might be.
“At this point in the season, this is the last thing you want to see,” remarked LeBron James. He emphasized the concern of losing an MVP candidate, stating, “We hope for the best and pray for a speedy recovery.”
Before their home win against the Nets on March 27, Doncic had been listed as questionable due to soreness in his left hamstring but still managed to score 41 points in that game.
Following that, he accumulated a technical foul and was suspended for one game, missing out on Monday’s contest against the Wizards. Yet, he bounced back strong with 42 points against the Cavaliers the next day.
Interestingly, Doncic’s hamstring issues had kept him out of the final four games after the All-Star break. He seemed to have re-aggravated this injury but still attempted to play through the pain.
“We checked him out,” Redick stated, “He finished the job. He was cleared, but we’re cautious about our players’ health.”
Doncic managed to leave the court under his own power before heading back to the locker room.
“You hope for the best,” said Austin Reeves after the game, expressing his concern. “We definitely don’t want to see anyone get hurt. Luka’s a competitor, and he’ll do anything to recover as quickly as possible.”
Reaves himself dealt with back and side troubles after putting in extra effort for rebounds early in the game, but he seemed to be feeling better by the end. “I felt something,” he mentioned, “but I think I’m alright now, we’ll see.”
