Luka Dončić did not return for the second half of Saturday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.
The Lakers ruled out Dončić with a left-leg contusion just before the start of the second half. The severity of the injury and a timeline for Dončić’s return weren’t initially clear. The Clippers won Saturday’s game, 103-88.
Advertisement
“I saw him hobbling towards the end of the first half. He came to me at halftime and said he couldn’t go,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, who added he didn’t have any additional information about the injury.
A game after tallying 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a win over the Utah Jazz, Dončić struggled with his efficiency in the first half against the Clippers. He posted 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 turnovers while shooting 4 of 13 from the field and 1 of 6 from 3 in 19 minutes.
The Lakers trailed, 54-39 to start the second half. They started the game playing without Austin Reaves (calf), Rui Hachimura (groin), Deandre Ayton (elbow) and Gabe Vincent (back).
The Lakers fell to 19-8 with Saturday’s loss, which is good for fourth place in the West behind the Thunder (25-3), Spurs (19-7) and Nuggets (19-7).
Advertisement
An absence by Dončić of any length would put the Lakers at further risk of falling in the Western Conference standings. A five-time first-team All-NBA selection, Dončić entered Saturday leading the league with 35.2 points per game alongside averages of 9.1 assists, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
