Luka Doncic is "clearly banged up," raising LA Lakers concerns about his back problems during the team's recent losing streak.
The injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers are currently on a two-game losing streak, with Luka Doncic facing struggles offensively.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic
MIN: 35.1
PTS: 26.85 (52.34%)
REB: 8.35
As: 7.88
ST: 1.94
BL: 0.41
TO: 3.68
GM: 34
In losses to the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, Doncic made just 19 field goals on 48 attempts and committed five turnovers in each game.
But there is probably the reason for such a dip, and it appears to be back problems.
Following the loss to the Celtics, Luka tried to downplay the issue but was visibly affected on the court, grimacing and hobbling while holding his back.
After the game, the Slovenian star admitted to experiencing back soreness since a tough fall against the New York Knicks last Thursday but reassured fans, saying, "I'm fine."
However, the effects of his injury were also evident against the Nets.
"I think Luka is clearly banged up with the back," beat writer Jovan Buha of The Athletic stated on his podcast. "That's something that he had aggravated before the Knicks game, then aggravated again in the next game, and then was hobbled in Boston.
"I thought he looked hobbled at times tonight [in Brooklyn]," Buha added. "That's something that he's going to have to manage moving forward. Lakers are banged up at a really bad time, and I think this could uncover some truths about this team."
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Luckily, the LA Lakers now have two days off before a challenging back-to-back schedule, with games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets on Thursday and Friday.
Currently, they hold the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a 40-23 record, while Doncic has averaged 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 12 games (34.1 minutes) since joining the team in a trade.
Buha also shared injury updates on other players: LeBron James tends to be out for two weeks instead of one, Rui Hachimura will be reevaluated at the end of the week, Jaxson Hayes and Dorian Finney-Smith are currently day to day.
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