In a troubling turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers will be without both of their All-Stars for at least the next week. Dave McMenamin of ESPN reports that the 26-year-old has suffered a pair of new injuries. He sprained his left finger during the Lakers’ blowout revenge game Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a 128-110 obliteration that served as a bit of a response to the Timberwolves’ five-game first-round playoff series upset of LA last spring.
Doncic scored 49 points in that match, on 14-of-23 shooting from the floor (5-of-12 from distance) and 16-of-19 shooting from the foul line, pacing Los Angeles. He also chipped in 11 rebounds, eight dimes and a +18 plus-minus.
Doncic has also suffered a lower leg contusion, a new injury that hadn’t been revealed up till now.
The superstar guard isn’t the only late breaking injury absence news for Los Angeles, unfortunately.
As “Buha’s Block” insider Jovan Buha notes, Doncic will be out for at least the Lakers’ next four tilts, three of which will be on the road. Sunday’s competition, the Sacramento Kings, should be fairly beatable even with LA missing some key soldiers. But the same can’t be said for the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of a Lakers back-to-back, a rematch against the Minnesota Timberwolves after Los Angeles embarrassed them this past Friday 128-110, or a bout against the very, very banged-up Memphis Grizzlies.
Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that backup center Jaxson Hayes, who like Doncic had been doubtful to play, has now officially been ruled out for at least Sunday’s road meeting with the Sacramento Kings, who like LA are currently 1-1 on the year.
Beyond Doncic, James and Hayes, the Lakers will also be missing backup power forward/center Maxi Kleber and rookie forward Adou Thiero. Kleber is out with an abdominal muscle strain, while a left knee surgery has kept Thiero from making his NBA debut so far.
