Luka Doncic Injury Return: Insider shares Encouraging Update On Lakers Star's Comeback After Battling Multiple Setbacks

The LA Lakers are missing All-Star guard Luka Doncic, who is expected to miss at least a week due to a left finger sprain and lower leg contusion. Not having Doncic is a significant blow to the Lakers, who are also without LeBron James due to sciatica. Fortunately for the fans, ESPN's Dave McMenamin revealed a positive update on Doncic.

The Lakers are coming off a 127-120 win on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. Without the team's two main options, they were expected to lose against a division rival. However, Austin Reaves stepped up big time for the Purple & Gold and scored 51 points.

Fans are high off Reaves' performance against the Kings. On Monday, they received more positive news about Doncic's injury timeline. According to the ESPN insider, there's a chance that the Slovenian sensation will be back in the starting lineup next week. McMenamin revealed the news on "NBA Today."

"I spoke to a source within the organization on Sunday and he expressed optimism to me that this would not be a situation where one week becomes two weeks, two weeks becomes three weeks," McMenamin revealed.

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"They believe that giving him some time right now should be enough to address it and we're talking about Luka back in the lineup next week."

Doncic had a great start to his first full season with the team. In the season opener, the five-time All-Star had 43 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and two steals in a 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He followed it up with a game where he had 49 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Lakers to a 128-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The team needs Luka Doncic to be 100% before he returns, as he'll likely do most of the work offensively as he's without a co-star for a while. James is likely to return in November, according to earlier reports.

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LeBron James trolled Luka Doncic after Austin Reaves' 50-point outing

Reaves' 50-point game was unexpected for the Lakers fans. But most of them were happy that the undrafted guard stepped up and took over the game in the absence of Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

After the contest, James trolled the 2019 Rookie of the Year for not scoring 50 points against the Wolves. King James said that it would've been nice to see two back-to-back 50-point games and also had high praise for the Lakers' backcourt.

"Damn that’s crazy we almost had back to back 50 balls. Damnit Don! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣! Sick back court! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾" James posted on X.

The season is still young, and there could still be a chance for Luka Doncic to make up for it. Given his elite scoring talent and skills, fans could see another 50-point game before the campaign ends.

Edited by Reign Amurao