Luka Doncic sidelined for Warriors matchup with strained left hamstring
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic will not play Saturday against the Golden State Warriors because of a strained left hamstring, the team announced Friday.
Doncic, 27, exited Thursday’s 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers late in the second quarter and did not return. Initial reports listed the injury as left leg soreness, but head coach JJ Redick said the All-Star would undergo an MRI on Friday. Sources told ESPN there is optimism the hamstring issue is not severe.
The Warriors contest tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. After facing Golden State, Los Angeles begins a three-game homestand: Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and the Dallas Mavericks—Doncic’s former club—on Thursday. The All-Star Game is scheduled for the following weekend at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Doncic, the league’s scoring leader at 32.8 points per game, also averages 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds. He topped All-Star balloting with more than 3.4 million votes, securing his sixth selection in eight seasons. The Slovenian star has missed eight games this year with various leg injuries; the Lakers are 4-4 without him.
With Doncic unavailable after halftime Thursday, Austin Reaves sparked a comeback by pouring in 35 points on 12-for-17 shooting in just 25 minutes as he continues to ramp up from a calf strain. LeBron James added 17 points and 10 assists but committed eight turnovers, tying his season high.
Injuries have limited the Lakers’ core trio to only 10 appearances together through 50 games.
Los Angeles may also be short-handed on the perimeter Saturday. Newly acquired guard Luke Kennard, obtained Thursday from the Atlanta Hawks for Gabe Vincent and a second-round draft pick, is listed as questionable. Kennard reported to the team’s practice facility Friday to begin the onboarding process.
Source: ESPN
