The Los Angeles Lakers had a disappointing loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, despite Luka Doncic going off for 42 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals. Number 77 was virtually the only Laker who had it going in Sacramento, but fans saw him laboring in the second half. Doncic admitted to dealing with another soft tissue injury after the final whistle.
Calf issues are the most worrisome for Luka as he has dealt with several in recent years, but this one appears to be more in his upper leg. Fans saw him wearing a massive wrap whenever he went to the bench. It did not hurt his production on Monday night, but this is the last thing the Lakers need amid a rough stretch.
Nothing is changing the [absolute brilliance of the trade](https://lakeshowlife.com/luka-doncic-trade-got-even-more-lopsided-for-lakers-if-anthony-davis-rumors-come-true-mavericks-deadline). Luka is in the running for MVP and is unquestionably one of the five best players in the world. Anthony Davis is injured, and Lakers fans don’t want to see number 77 join him on the shelf. This issue certainly puts LA in a difficult spot moving forward.
Luka Doncic admits to dealing with another soft tissue injury
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In his postgame presser, Luka had this response to a question about his current health.
_“Yeah, I was really uncertain. Before the game warming up, I felt something. I was just trying to get warm and get going. But tomorrow, we will see how I wake up.”_
Dave McMenamin followed up by asking about whether it was his inner thigh/groin, and Luka admitted it “somewhere in there”.
The Lakers didn’t lose to the Kings because of Luka. He had a monster 40-point game, including going 16 of 29 from the field. Head coach JJ Redick [made a baffling decision](https://lakeshowlife.com/los-angeles-lakers-jj-redick-bewildering-coaching-decision-immediately-haunts), and Sacramento shot the lights out. Los Angeles made nine fewer 3-pointers, which was a killer in a 12-point game.
The Lakers now have a difficult decision to make heading into Tuesday’s game versus the Hawks. LeBron James is almost certain to be out as he continues to sit in one half of back-to-back sets. LA also has five games in seven nights this week. If they sit Luka, the Lakers are all but guaranteed to lose. After dropping seven of the last 11, another defeat is the last thing the franchise needs right now.
The Lakers can’t risk Luka’s latest issue turning into something bigger. He is the team’s best player and is leading the NBA in scoring. Los Angeles is only going as far as Doncic carries them this season. It is why the last thing fans want to hear is about another soft tissue injury for their 26-year-old superstar.
Austin Reaves is already out, and Rui Hachimura is set to return from a seven-game absence on Tuesday night. The Lakers are struggling to win with multiple starters out. Things will only get worse if number 77 has to miss any time.
Luka Doncic admitted to dealing with another soft tissue injury that he tweaked in the pregame. Los Angeles Lakers fans should be terrified that this turns into something bigger for the superstar.
They can’t afford for Luka to sit, but the franchise must prioritize the long-term with the face of their franchise. Either way, fans won’t like it. Don’t be surprised to see him miss some time, but the only thing fans know for certain is the fear his comments caused. Hopefully, Doncic is back to full strength soon.