The Los Angeles Lakers received some hopeful news surrounding perennial star Luka Dončić on Monday after his early exit during Sunday’s 103-88 loss to the Clippers due to a lower left leg contusion.
Coach JJ Redick confirmed after Monday’s practice that Dončić is day-to-day and was seen with his injured leg taped.
The Lakers were already without three starters entering the matchup against the Clippers and lost a fourth in Dončić after he told Redick at halftime he couldn’t continue. He finished with 12 points in 19 minutes.
The Slovenian struggled to open the game after missing his six shot attempts, finishing the night on 31% shooting from the field on four-for-13.
Redick explained that Dončić sustained the injury after he was inadvertently kneed in the leg by Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanović during a collision in the first half.
Dončić’s ability to slow the game down and force defenses to play at his pace has led to his share of physical contact throughout his career. There were multiple instances during the first half against the Clippers in which he absorbed leg collisions, gradually showing he wasn’t at full strength as the game progressed.
“Could be just the decel … the way he uses his body,” Redick said on Dončič taking collisions. “We’re talking about looking into ways to potentially protect against these collisions… the mechanisms that keep happening where he’s getting hit.”
“It’s happened a bunch this season.”
Dončić’s status for Tuesday’s game in Phoenix remains uncertain. He joins Austin Reaves, who participated partially in Monday’s practice, and Rui Hachimura as day-to-day. The team will provide further updates as the week progresses.
Deandre Ayton, who missed the past two road games after hyperextending his elbow, is officially off the injury report and is expected to be available Tuesday against his former team. Gabe Vincent remains out with a back injury.
After Phoenix, which concludes a four-game road trip, the Lakers will play five straight home games over an 11-day span as they look to continue their strong quarter start to the season at 19-8.