Lakers’ Luka Doncic injury severity downplayed, yet status vs. Warriors in doubt

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors 31-19. They have won two straight after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, 119-115. But in the win, the Lakers suffered a big-time loss.

Superstar Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury after playing just 16 minutes. Doncic left the game and did not return.

On Friday, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin shed some light on the severity of the injury.

“There is some initial optimism that Luka Doncic is not dealing with a major issue with his left hamstring. However, the Lakers star is doubtful to play Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN,” McMenamin posted on X, formerly Twitter.

That should come as a relief to Lakers fans. Doncic has played at an MVP-level this season, leading the league in scoring at 32.8 points per game.

Los Angeles just got Austin Reaves back after missing the last 19 games with a calf injury. He struggled to find his shot in his return two games ago, but on Thursday, his presence was needed, and he showed up.

Reaves led the Lakers with 35 points off the bench. He shot 12-of-17 from the floor, knocking down five triples.

The Lakers are currently fifth in the stacked Western Conference. But there are only two games that separate the No. 3-seed Denver Nuggets and No. 7-seed Phoenix Suns. So, every game is crucial at this point.

Los Angeles will look for their third straight win at home vs. the new-look Warriors on Saturday night. Golden State finally traded Jonathan Kuminga before the NBA trade deadline, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Porzingis will reportedly join Golden State in Los Angeles, but is unlikely to play.

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