The Los Angeles Lakers received a cautiously optimistic update on Monday when superstar guard Luka Doncic, sidelined for three games with a left finger sprain and lower-left leg contusion, was upgraded on the team’s injury report to questionable for Friday’s NBA Cup opener against the Memphis Grizzlies.
While the designation marks a step forward in his recovery, it falls short of a definitive return and leaves plenty of uncertainty hovering around the roster of the Lakers, who are already navigating the early stages of a campaign disrupted by injuries.
Lakers continue to battle injury setbacks
The Lakers had been treading water without Doncic, and without veteran forward LeBron James, who remains sidelined with sciatic issues, relying on the breakout stretch of guard Austin Reaves to keep them afloat.
Reaves‘ recent surge, 51-point and 41-point outings, capped by a game-winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves, has offered hope but underscores how much the team typically leans on its stars when healthy.
According to a report posted by NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Lakers “have upgraded Luka Doncic to questionable for tomorrow night’s NBA Cup game.”
The injuries in question, a left finger sprain and a lower-leg contusion, are the culprits keeping the guard off the court for now.
That said, this upgrade should not be mistaken for a clean bill of health. A “questionable” status still implies Doncic could be held out. And for a Lakers team counting on his elite scoring, play-making, and leadership, his absence would be felt keenly.
In his two appearances this season, Doncic averaged 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, shooting 62 percent from the field.
So far, when he’s out, the Lakers are improvising. With James unavailable and role players thrust into bigger duties, the stakes rise.
Coach JJ Redick last week hinted a return for the dynamic duo of James and Doncic could come within “the next couple of games,” though he stopped short of committing to a firm timeline.
Entering the NBA Cup game, the Lakers hope this injury shift marks a turning point rather than a false alarm. For Memphis, facing a healthier-looking LA squad means preparing for a more formidable offensive threat, especially if Doncic plays.
What does “questionable” mean in this case?
The “questionable” tag indicates incremental progress, but not full clearance, meaning that if Doncic plays, the Lakers benefit from his scoring and court vision; if he sits, the momentum Reaves and others have built will be put to the test.
The Lakers‘ schedule in the coming days will likely influence whether the team grants Doncic more recovery time or pushes for his early return.
And for a team with championship aspirations, managing the returntoplay for top talent like Doncic and James is as crucial as the on-court wins.
Read the full article here
