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Not only did the Los Angeles Lakers suffer an embarrassing loss recently against the crosstown Clippers, they also got some tough injury news in the process.
Luka Dončić, the NBA’s leader in scoring at 34.1 points per game, did not return to the floor after halftime during the team’s 103-88 loss to the Clippers Saturday, Dec. 20. The Lakers said Dončić was dealing with a left leg contusion.
Late in the first quarter, Dončić was lightly kneed in the back of his left calf by Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanović, when Bogdanović went to guard Dončić on a switch.
The play happened when Dončić turned his back on Bogdanović in an attempt to back him down near the 3-point line. Lakers coach JJ Redick said that issue has “happened a bunch this season” and added that the team would try to find ways to protect Dončić from the collisions.
Here’s everything you need to know about Luka Dončić’s injury and status against the Phoenix Suns.
Is Luka Dončić playing tonight versus the Suns?
No. The Lakers have already ruled Dončić out Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Phoenix, listing him with a lower left leg contusion on the injury report.
When the Lakers held practice Monday, Dec. 22 at their facility, Dončić was spotted wearing a bulky wrap around his left leg, the one that was kneed against the Clippers.
Complicating matters for the Lakers is that fellow guard Austin Reaves has missed the last three games with a left calf strain and backup point guard Gabe Vincent has missed the last two with a lumbar back strain; Vincent has also been ruled out against the Suns.
The Lakers, though, may get some good news, as Reaves is listed as questionable and may return against Phoenix.
Luka Dončić stats
Playing in his seventh season, Dončić has been stellar for Los Angeles, averaging an NBA-best 34.1 points per game, to go with 8.8 assists, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals; the assists and steals stats lead the Lakers.
Dončić has appeared in 21 of Los Angeles’ 27 games and previously missed time due to a personal matter, the birth of his second daughter, and knee and foot injuries.