Luka Doncic is expected to suit up when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets in the fourth game of the NBA’s five-contest Christmas Day schedule.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that the MVP candidate, sidelined Monday with a lower left leg contusion, has been upgraded to “probable.” Doncic suffered the injury in Saturday’s loss to the Clippers and missed the subsequent 24-point defeat to the Suns. The 26-year-old guard enters the holiday slate averaging 34.1 points, 8.8 assists and 8.6 rebounds.
Frontcourt depth will be tested, however. Center Jaxson Hayes has been ruled out with an ankle injury, the club announced. Forward Rui Hachimura, out since Dec. 18 with a groin issue, is listed as questionable and could return.
Head coach J.J. Redick also confirmed guard Gabe Vincent will miss a fourth straight game because of lower back soreness. The former Miami Heat defender has been a key perimeter stopper for Los Angeles, which ranks 28th in defensive rating over the past 14 contests.
Redick said the team’s defensive lapses come down to “making the choice” to exert second-effort energy every possession. “There are a million choices in a game,” he added. “You won’t get all of them right, but can you make the vast majority of them correctly? That gives you a chance to win.”
Redick praised third-year guard Austin Reaves, predicting he will earn his first All-Star selection this season. “He’s the type of player who consistently wants to get better and is willing to put in the work,” the coach said in comments captured by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Reaves and Doncic have forged a close friendship that Reaves likened to acting “like we’re 10-year-old best friends.” He said their bond extends beyond basketball and motivates them not to let each other down on the court.
The Lakers enter the Christmas matchup looking to halt a two-game skid.
Source: Hoops Rumors
