Doncic downplays groin discomfort after 43-point opener
doncic-groin-discomfort-43-point-opener
LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic insisted a sore area on the inside of his right leg is “probably nothing” after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-109 opening-night defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
The All-Star guard logged a game-high 41 minutes, then spent nearly 90 minutes in the training room before addressing reporters. Doncic said the discomfort flared when his “hip went the opposite way,” but he expects no lingering problems.
Before the tweak, the 26-year-old dominated. He poured in 43 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and handed out nine assists while adding two steals. According to ESPN Research, he went 13-for-14 in the paint and 15-for-17 on two-point attempts, a payoff from an offseason conditioning program that helped him slim down and improve lateral quickness.
“I think I’m getting better on the defensive end,” Doncic said. “I’m just trying to get more involved, more communication.” He added that he welcomed the heavy workload: “Overall, 41 minutes, so I like that.”
Shooting from deep was a different story. Doncic finished 2-for-10 from three-point range, contributing to the Lakers’ 8-for-32 night from beyond the arc. He committed three of Los Angeles’ 20 turnovers, mistakes that led to 22 points for Golden State.
The Warriors broke the game open with a 35-25 third quarter, continuing a problem that first-year Lakers coach JJ Redick traced back to last season. “We continue to be a terrible third-quarter team,” Redick said. “Gotta rethink some things… What do they need at halftime to make sure they’re ready to play? They’re not ready to play to start the third quarter.”
Los Angeles will practice the next two days before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, giving Doncic additional time to rest the minor groin issue.
Source: ESPN
