Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings with a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion, the team announced.
Doncic will be reevaluated in approximately one week. The Lakers are optimistic that Doncic will not need extended time for recovery beyond the initial estimated timeline, sources told ESPN.
L.A. plays the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back Monday, then play on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday and the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday before returning to host the Miami Heat next Sunday.
Doncic’s absence is a big blow for the Lakers, already without LeBron James and now missing the services of their leading scorer who was off to a historic start to the season, averaging 46 points per game through L.A.’s first two games.
The Lakers also announced that center Jaxson Hayes will not be available against the Kings, missing a second straight game with left knee soreness.