The main storyline attached to the Los Angeles Lakers’ comeback win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night is Luka Doncic’s health.
The 26-year-old was inactive in the second half of the contest due to a lower-body injury. While many feared the worst when Doncic left the floor and failed to return, an NBA insider recently suggested that the former Dallas Mavericks phenom may have dodged a major injury bullet.
“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,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on X/Twitter Friday.
At the end of the day, the Lakers can’t afford for Doncic to be absent when it matters most (the postseason), making McMenamin’s report encouraging, to say the least.
Los Angeles acquired Doncic last season because they believed he was not only an easier player to build around in the future than Anthony Davis, but also a better win-now piece. If Doncic begins to replicate Davis’ injury troubles with the Lakers, he’ll become as unreliable as Davis was from a health perspective.
Although Doncic has officially been ruled out for the Lakers’ upcoming duel against the Warriors, it’s nice to know that there’s a good chance he won’t be out for too long.
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