Will five-time All-NBA First Team Los Angeles Lakers guard (it’s still odd to write) Luka Doncic be ready to face the Milwaukee Bucks for a TNT matchup on Thursday?
As per an injury report released on Thursday morning, the 6-foot-6 star player was officially deemed questionable to play because of a painful right ankle.
More Los Angeles Lakers news: Luka Doncic Might Be Absent for Game Against Bucks
If the Lakers were just lacking Doncic, that would be one matter, but Los Angeles is essentially the walking wounded currently and could greatly benefit from its top player’s presence.
21-time All-Star Los Angeles forward LeBron James is expected to be out for at least another week due to a left groin strain. Starting small forward Rui Hachimura is out due to left patellar tendinopathy. Starting center Jaxson Hayes will be out as well due to a persistent right knee contusion.
More Los Angeles Lakers: Jaxson Hayes Injury Update for Lakers vs Bucks
Reserve big man Maxi Kleber, who was obtained in L.A.’s major Doncic trade, is still recuperating from surgery on his right foot. Newcomer guard Bronny James has been assigned to Los Angeles’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers.
The Bucks, on the other hand, are lacking crucial sixth man power forward/center Bobby Portis because of a 25-game league suspension.
Now, Doncic’s status for Thursday’s matchup against the Bucks has officially been disclosed. As reported by Jovan Buha from The Athletic, Doncic is set to be available.
With a record of 36-28, the Bucks hold the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, aided by a tiebreaker against the Indiana Pacers. The 40-23 Lakers, on the other hand, hold the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Both teams are experiencing losing streaks, with the Bucks having dropped their last three games and the Lakers currently on a two-game slide.
When in good health this season, Doncic has been as deadly as always. In 12 games with Los Angeles, the 26-year-old has been recording an average of 24.5 points with shooting splits of .399/.322/.747, along with 8.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Those shooting statistics are, admittedly, somewhat unimpressive, but throughout the year in his 34 healthy appearances for the Lakers and Mavericks, Doncic is achieving a significantly better .442/.343/.759.