Lakers rule Luka Doncic (calf) out for recreation in opposition to Nuggets – ESPN

Stephen A. Smith questions if Luka Doncic can hold the Lakers in rivalry after L.A.’s third straight loss with out LeBron James. (2:19)
DENVER — Luka Doncic is not going to play within the conclusion of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ four-game highway journey Friday in opposition to the Denver Nuggets, the crew introduced, with the star guard managing a lingering left calf harm and a sprained proper ankle.
Doncic joined a Lakers harm record already suffering from names, as three starters in LeBron James (left groin pressure), Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (proper knee contusion) all left the journey early to bear remedy again in L.A.
“Clearly, not there but,” Doncic stated after scoring 45 factors within the Lakers’ loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday when requested if his play is assembly his expectations since being traded to L.A. “Each day, a little bit bit extra. However nonetheless not there. Obtained to get some issues off my physique. Get them to really feel higher after which be prepared.”
The Lakers additionally introduced that Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle) and Gabe Vincent (left knee) are uncertain for the Nuggets recreation and Trey Jemison III is questionable with an sickness.
The Lakers are 0-3 on their highway journey and opened a brutal stretch of the schedule that includes six video games in eight days with a blowout loss to the Bucks.
The Lakers have fallen from No. 2 within the Western Convention standings to No. 4, with the Houston Rockets only a recreation behind them within the loss column at No. 5.
L.A. returns dwelling to host a back-to-back Sunday and Monday in opposition to the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs after which one other back-to-back Wednesday and Thursday in opposition to Denver and Milwaukee.
Capturing guard Austin Reaves, who isn’t on the harm report despite the fact that he had a heavy ice wrap on his proper wrist and hand after the Bucks loss, stated Lakers coach JJ Redick addressed the crew by reminding them that, “Every little thing was good every week in the past,” so now isn’t the time to lose religion.
“We have been taking part in good basketball, we had gained seven or eight straight or no matter it was,” Reaves stated. “And we have had some dangerous luck with accidents and stuff. Folks which might be even taking part in nonetheless banged up a little bit bit. However like I stated, no person feels sorry for us. Everyone’s going to need to beat us by 30. So, we received to determine a method to not let that occur and go compete in video games. There is no simple approach round it. You simply received to determine it out.”

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