The Los Angeles Lakers have been forced to navigate a difficult stretch due to injuries. Los Angeles has dropped back-to-back games, most recently a lopsided 132-108 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, with Luka Doncic sidelined. In that game, the Lakers struggled to generate offense without its primary engine, forcing the team to lean more heavily on LeBron James while adjusting rotations on the fly.
Doncic was ruled out with a left leg contusion suffered during the Lakers’ Dec. 20 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He exited that game after absorbing contact and was ruled out for the remainder of the night.
His absence was a huge blow for the Lakers. Through the first portion of the season, Doncic has been among the league’s most productive players, averaging 34.1 points, 8.8 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game. His ability to command defensive attention and create efficient looks has powered the Lakers’ offense, making his potential return a significant boost as the team looks to return to winning ways.
On Wednesday, optimism emerged regarding his status for the Lakers’ Christmas Day game. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Doncic is expected to play Thursday when the Lakers host the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
Adding to that optimism, Doncic delivered a pointed message ahead of the matchup to the Lakers’ opponents:
“We look forward to welcoming you to LA on Christmas, where we celebrate the holidays by handing out big gifts and tough L’s.”
The NBA Christmas matchup carries added urgency for both teams. The Lakers enter the game looking to snap their two-game losing streak and improve on their current record, while the Rockets are also searching for traction after recent setbacks.
If Doncic returns as expected, it would provide a timely lift for Los Angeles in a marquee holiday showdown. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage on ESPN.
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Ayomide Adeduyite
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Ayomide Adeduyite
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports