Los Angeles Lakers were dealt another concerning moment during their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers after superstar guard Luka Doncic was forced to leave the game early with a lower-body issue.
The Lakers already found themselves trailing by double digits in the opening quarter when things took a turn for the worse in the second. Doncic appeared uncomfortable after grabbing the back of his left leg and slowly walked off the floor toward the locker room. Although initially listed as questionable, he never returned after halftime and was officially ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Lakers reporter Mike Trudell later clarified the situation, writing, “He’s out for the game due to left leg soreness.”
Luka Doncic’s exit raises immediate concern for Lakers
Doncic left the court with just over three minutes remaining in the first half. At the time, the team indicated he was being evaluated for a potential hamstring issue. While there was brief optimism that he might return, that hope faded quickly when he didn’t take the floor to start the third quarter.
Despite playing only 15 minutes, Doncic still managed to produce 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists. However, the injury clearly affected his rhythm. He missed all four of his three-point attempts and committed five turnovers during a sloppy first half for Los Angeles. As he exited, cameras caught the six-time All-Star visibly frustrated, underscoring how much the discomfort was bothering him.
The early departure also marked a rare scoring dip for one of the league’s most consistent offensive forces. Doncic has now recorded back-to-back games under 20 points for just the third time this season. As of now, there is no official timeline for his return, leaving the Lakers anxiously awaiting further evaluation.
Luka Doncic Player of the Month numbers:
- 34.0 PTS
- 7.2 REB
- 9.1 AST
Head coach JJ Redick addressed the situation after the game, offering cautious optimism while emphasizing player safety.
He got some soreness in his hamstring. He didn’t feel like it was good enough to go back in, neither did the medical staff. So we held him out. He’ll get some imaging. Too early to say if any injury, but just had a sore hamstring.
Doncic’s recent lower-leg issues add to worry
This latest setback comes just days after another scary moment involving Doncic. Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he lost his balance while attempting a fadeaway three and landed awkwardly near the edge of the court. Cleveland’s arena features a raised floor with a noticeable drop-off, which has drawn criticism in the past.
A courtside microphone caught Doncic venting in frustration, “Who the f- made this floor, god–!” The clip quickly went viral after being shared on social media. Although he was able to continue playing that night, the incident reignited discussions about arena safety.
Redick didn’t hold back when addressing that situation either, saying, “There’s been a number of injuries over the years in this building because of the floor. It is absolutely a safety hazard. I don’t know why it’s still like that. I don’t.”
Doncic later admitted he felt “lucky,” referencing past injuries suffered by other players in similar situations. Now, with a potential hamstring issue in play, the Lakers face renewed concern. Hamstring injuries can linger, and with postseason aspirations tied closely to Doncic’s health-alongside stars like LeBron James-Los Angeles will be watching closely as imaging results and further updates emerge.
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