Injury Updates Shake Up Pacific Division: Doncic Out, Leonard and Santos Day-to-Day
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PORTLAND, Ore. — The Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Trail Blazers on Saturday without the NBA’s leading scorer, Luka Doncic. The star guard was ruled out with left groin soreness, the club announced. Centers Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring tendinopathy) and Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) are listed as questionable.
The injury news follows Thursday’s 137-124 home loss to Charlotte, when the Hornets shot 53.5% from the field and 46.5% beyond the arc. After the game, veteran guard Marcus Smart criticized the Lakers’ defense. “It doesn’t matter who it is. When they play against us, everything goes through the roof,” Smart said. “We have to figure it out. We must play with a little bit more urgency on that end.”
Achiuwa Settling In at Power Forward
Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa said he feels comfortable spending most of his minutes at the four. “All throughout high school, college… that’s how I played,” he told the New York Post. Achiuwa added that operating at power forward allows the offense to “move around a lot better” and gives him “a better sense of freedom.”
Leonard Managing Multiple Ailments
The Los Angeles Clippers disclosed that Kawhi Leonard is also dealing with a left knee contusion suffered last weekend, in addition to a right ankle sprain. Leonard missed Friday’s overtime win in Toronto and is considered day-to-day.
Warriors Lose Santos to Ankle Sprain
Golden State forward Gui Santos will sit out Saturday against Charlotte after spraining his left ankle during the first quarter of Thursday’s victory over New York. Head coach Steve Kerr said the rookie could be sidelined beyond Saturday, noting the team will miss his “energy, offensive rebounding and size” when pairing him with Draymond Green in small lineups.
Source: Hoops Rumors
