Luka Dončić Injury: Lakers Win But Face New Blow vs. 76ers
- A concerning injury to All-Star guard Luka Dončić overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
- The injury occurred during the second quarter, when Dončić began to limp and clutched the back of his left thigh.
- The Lakers announced during the third quarter that Dončić would not return to the game due to the hamstring discomfort.
Lakers’ Doncic Suffers Hamstring Injury, MRI Scheduled
A concerning injury to All-Star guard Luka Dončić overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Dončić exited the game in the second quarter with soreness in his left leg and did not return.
The injury occurred during the second quarter, when Dončić began to limp and clutched the back of his left thigh. He attempted to continue playing for a few possessions but ultimately headed to the locker room following a timeout.
The Lakers announced during the third quarter that Dončić would not return to the game due to the hamstring discomfort. Rui Hachimura replaced him in the starting lineup.
Following the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick provided a brief update on Dončić’s condition. “He felt some soreness in his hamstring so he didn’t feel like it was good enough to go back in [and] neither did [our medical team],” Redick said. “So, we held him out and they [are] going to do some imaging. It’s too early to say if there’s an injury, but [he] just had a sore hamstring.”
The timing of the injury is particularly unsettling for the Lakers, who are still integrating players after recent roster changes. Austin Reaves recently returned to the lineup after a 19-game absence, and, including Thursday’s game, Dončić, Reaves, and LeBron James have played together in only 10 games this season. In two of those contests – a Christmas Day matchup and the game against the 76ers – at least one of the three players was forced to leave the game before halftime.
The upcoming All-Star break may provide Dončić with an opportunity to rest and recover without the added strain of travel. For now, the Lakers are prioritizing a cautious approach to his recovery.
Despite Dončić’s early exit, the Lakers rallied to secure the win, overcoming a 14-point deficit. Austin Reaves led the team in scoring with 35 points off the bench, supported by strong performances from LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and a defensive effort led by Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Next Game
The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, February 7th or Sunday, February 8th at 2:30 AM (Italian time) at the Crypto.com Arena.