Fans were worried about Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic after the team’s Opening Night against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. During the latter part of the game, Doncic was seen grabbing his groin and was in pain. After the team’s 119-109 loss against the Warriors, the Slovenian star downplayed any sign of him being injured.
LeBron James will still not be in the Lakers’ lineup when they play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. James is anticipated to return in November after missing some time. Fortunately for the team, Doncic will be able to suit up. The recent injury update did not include the five-time All-Star.
Head coach JJ Redick talked to reporters and gave them an update amid Doncic’s injury scare. He also informed the media that Austin Reaves participated in practice and isn’t part of the injury list.
“Luka was a full participant. Austin was a modified participant. He kind of tweaked his ankle,” Redick said. “Yesterday was no live so he was able to do everything. Today, he did everything but live. It’s not really like a thing where I can say he’s gonna be out a couple games or he’s gonna play tomorrow. It literally will be how he feels tomorrow. I know Austin, I’m gonna expect him to play.”
In the Lakers’ first game of the season, Luka Doncic gave it his all. In 41 minutes of action, the five-time All-NBA had 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. All his efforts weren’t enough, though, given that LA suffered its first loss of the year.
Luka Doncic made history against the Warriors
Luka Doncic had to step up his game since James was on the sidelines against the Warriors. It could look like that for the next few games. This is why he scored a lot on Opening Night, taking advantage of what the defense gave him.
With this approach, he made history by scoring the most points by a player in the first game of the season since Kobe Bryant in 2007. Back in the 2007-08 season, Bryant had 45 points against the Houston Rockets. Ironically, the Lakers’ first game that season also ended in a loss.
Doncic stated after the game that he intended to approach the Lakers’ longstanding Western Conference opponent with aggression.
“Yeah, just attack the paint,” Doncic said. “Sometimes they’re going to help and sometimes no, so I’ve just got to attack even more in the paint.”
“Probably just more attacking the paint. I think I’m getting better on the defensive end, I’m just trying to get more involved, more communication. But overall, 41 minutes, so I like that… Like I said, I was less tired and in better shape. So just trying to get a win.”
Fans could see more of that from Doncic until James returns from injury.
For other sports-related content:
Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at reignamuraonba@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
