JJ Redick defends decision to keep Luka Doncic in game before hamstring setback
jj-redick-defends-decision-to-keep-luka-doncic-in-game-before-hamstring-setback
Oklahoma City — Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said medical staff cleared Luka Doncic to continue playing before the star guard aggravated his left hamstring during a 43-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2 at Paycom Center.
Doncic, who scored 17 points before leaving, was seen clutching the hamstring in the first half. Despite that, he and guard Austin Reaves, who was dealing with back tightness, opened the third quarter with the Lakers trailing 79-48.
“We talked about it at halftime,” Redick told Spectrum SportsNet. “The idea was to give those guys about six minutes, and if we didn’t cut into the lead, we’d pull them.” Doncic’s injury occurred roughly within that window, and he did not return.
Redick emphasized that team doctors examined Doncic during the break. “We checked him out. He got work done, but he was cleared,” the coach said. “We’re not going to put a player at risk.”
The Lakers, who have routinely taken a cautious approach with soft-tissue injuries, now await MRI results as the postseason approaches.
Reaves confronts fan during injury stoppage
Tensions rose when a Thunder fan shouted at Doncic while he was down on the court. Reaves exchanged words with the spectator, telling him to “have some respect” during a profanity-laced back-and-forth before security intervened.
The Lakers, now focused on Doncic’s status, continue their road trip Friday in Dallas.
Source: Lakers Nation
