The Los Angeles Lakers received disappointing news before their Sunday night game against the Sacramento Kings.
Luka Doncic, who’s shockingly averaging 46.0 points per game this season, will miss at least one week with a sprained finger and a lower leg contusion.
To make matters worse, the Lakers will be without LeBron James again, forcing Austin Reaves to orchestrate an offensive masterclass to improve the franchise's odds of prevailing.
Why LeBron James isn't playing vs. the Kings tonight
James is still dealing with sciatica on his right side, but the injury is far from season-ending.
Still, the Lakers don’t want to rush James back onto the hardwood, potentially causing long-term damage that could negatively affect Los Angeles’ championship chances.
James is expected to play at a high level in his first full season alongside Doncic, despite being 40.
Although the Lakers had first-round playoff exits last season, James’ production proved he doesn’t deserve to be included in the ‘washed’ category.
The four-time NBA champion averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game in 70 regular-season contests, shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three-point land.
Will the Lakers remain afloat with James and Doncic sidelined for the immediate future? If Reaves thrives as the organization’s No. 1 scoring option/ playmaker, the organization will have a chance to rattle off plenty of wins.
More NBA: Why Luka Doncic isn't playing tonight for Lakers vs. Kings after concerning injury news