Los Angeles Lakers celebrity Luka Dončić is anticipated to be sidelined for a minimum of every week with a left finger sprain and decrease left leg contusion. Dončić was initially listed as questionable for L.A.’s recreation in opposition to the Sacramento Kings Sunday evening, however will as a substitute head to the harm record.
It is unclear when the harm occurred, but it surely’s a one other huge blow for a Lakers group that’s already with out LeBron James, who’s coping with sciatica and has no timeline for a return. The absence of James was definitely felt in L.A.’s season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors, however Dončić’s heroics carried the Lakers to a blowout win in opposition to the Timberwolves. Dončić’s play by means of the primary two video games is nothing in need of MVP-level. He is averaging an absurd 46 factors, 11.5 rebounds and eight.5 assists and almost notched a triple-double in a 128-110 win over the Timberwolves during which utterly dismantled Minnesota’s protection.
With Dončić anticipated to overlook every week, which means he’ll miss matchups in opposition to the Kings, Path Blazers, Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Warmth. And with no replace on James as of late, which means the Lakers will doubtless be with out each of their star gamers for the foreseeable future.
With Dončić and James out, which means Austin Reaves will slide into the No. 1 possibility position for the Lakers. He is averaging 25.5 factors, 10 assists and 6 rebounds for the Lakers to this point, and now he will likely be requested to do much more with L.A.’s high two gamers sidelined. That additionally means will see a much bigger scoring position for Rui Hachimura, who’s off to a career-best begin to the season (16 factors, three rebounds).
With regard to who will fill that emptiness within the beginning lineup with Dončić out, JJ Redick may maintain the three-guard lineup by placing Marcus Good in there. He may additionally put Jake LaRavia in with the beginning unit to maintain some measurement and taking pictures on the ground. No matter who Redick places on the market, although, it’ll be an uphill battle for a minimum of the following week with out each Dončić and James.
It’s going to be a tricky highway forward for the Lakers, particularly in a Western Convention the place a down week might be the distinction in making the playoffs or not. That appears ridiculous to speak about given we’re barely every week into the season, however that is the truth of the gauntlet that’s the Western Convention.
