The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to be without star player Luka Dončić for the short-term, possibly for the entirety of their three-game road trip that begins tonight.
“Obviously, he’s away from the team for personal reasons,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters Thursday, Dec. 4 prior to the team’s game against the Toronto Raptors. “Hope to have him back soon, but don’t have a pin-pointed day yet.”
The Lakers confirmed that designation on Thursday’s injury report ahead of the game in Toronto.
Though the team did not have a clear timeline, Dončić appears likely to also miss the team’s next game, given that the Lakers are on the first leg of a back-to-back. Los Angeles plays the Celtics in Boston Friday, Dec. 5.
The Lakers are beginning a three-game road trip Thursday that concludes Sunday, Dec. 7 in Philadelphia. After that, they return to Los Angeles for one game against the San Antonio Spurs – in an NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup – before heading back on the road for another three-game road trip.
Given that the team is on the road, the Lakers may opt to wait for their return to Los Angeles for Dončić to rejoin them.
Dončić, 26, has had a tremendous start to the season, leading the NBA in scoring at 35.3 points per game. He has also added 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game as the Lakers are sitting at 15-5, which is second in the Western Conference.
Dončić played in Los Angeles’ most recent game, Monday, Dec. 1 against the Phoenix Suns, and recorded 38 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in the 125-108 loss.