Although supporters were optimistic that Luka Doncic might debut for the Los Angeles Lakers and come back from injury on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers, it seems they will have to wait a little longer. The Lakers may also be without LeBron James because of an injury.
Luka Doncic’s most recent injury update isn’t particularly unexpected, as Lakers head coach JJ Redick indicated that Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz was the most probable occasion for him to debut.
Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas Day while he was with the Dallas Mavericks, because of a calf injury he sustained against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The latest injury update for the Lakers is somewhat unexpected, as LeBron James has been marked as doubtful because of soreness in his left ankle. James has been managing a foot injury all season long, which caused him to miss three games last December.
James recently had a performance of 42 points and 17 rebounds in the team’s victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. With his performance, James became the oldest player in NBA history to achieve 40 points in a game, outdoing Michael Jordan.
However, the Lakers might introduce their new starting center, Mark Williams, into the lineup for the game against the Pacers. Williams has been officially marked as questionable because the trade remains pending. Prior to the Lakers facing the Warriors on Thursday, Redick could not comment on the deal since it was not yet confirmed by the NBA.
Austin Reaves has also been listed on the team’s most recent injury report as questionable due to a contusion on his left elbow. Should the Lakers be short on players against the Pacers, assistance may come from Jordan Goodwin, who signed a two-way deal on Friday.