The Los Angeles Lakers, on the second night of a back-to-back, will be deprived of their two biggest stars.
Luka Dončić missed the team’s most recent game, a three-point victory over the Toronto Raptors Thursday, Dec. 4, because of personal reasons.
Los Angeles won the Raptors game on a 3-point shot as time expired. During that play, LeBron James had the ball in his hands and had the chance to extend his double-digit scoring record, but he passed up the opportunity to record the game-winning assist. That snapped James’ streak of 1,297 consecutive games – or a span of nearly 19 years – with at least 10 points.
James, however, landed on the injury report Friday, Dec. 5, ahead of the team’s game in Boston against the Celtics, with a previously undisclosed issue.
Here’s everything you need to know about the availabilities of the two Lakers stars, Luka Dončić and LeBron James:
Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs. Celtics?
No. Dončić remains away from the team for personal reasons and will miss his second consecutive game. The team officially listed him as out on Friday’s injury report, and Lakers coach JJ Redick said the team was unsure when he would return.
“Obviously, he’s away from the team for personal reasons,” Redick told reporters Thursday, prior to the team’s game against the Raptors. “Hope to have him back soon, but don’t have a pin-pointed day yet.”
The Lakers are on the second leg of a three-game road trip that concludes Sunday, Dec. 7 in Philadelphia.
The Lakers then head home for one game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec. 10, before embarking on another three-game road trip.
Is LeBron James playing tonight vs. Celtics?
No, James also won’t play. The Lakers had listed James as doubtful on the injury report earlier on Friday with right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis designations. By late afternoon, the team had downgraded him to out.
James has been dealing with the sciatica issue since training camp. It forced him to miss all of the preseason and the first 14 games of the season.
The joint arthritis issue is a new one being disclosed for the first time. James turns 41 in a little more than three weeks, and the Lakers were already managing his participation in back-to-backs. The arthritis injury, however, could complicate his availability in the coming games.
Redick is set to speak to reporters before tipoff and he’ll likely offer an update on James then.