Lakers’ Doncic leaves game prematurely; MRI scheduled for hamstring, according to source.
LOS ANGELES – Lakers star Luka Doncic exited the game late in the second quarter and was declared out for the remainder of Thursday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to what the team identified as soreness in his left leg.
Doncic is scheduled to have an MRI on his left hamstring on Friday, according to a source familiar with his evaluation plans who spoke to ESPN.
In 16 minutes of action, Doncic recorded 10 points on 3-for-10 shooting, along with four rebounds, two assists, and five turnovers before leaving the game with 3:03 left in the first half.
He did not return from the locker room after halftime, with Rui Hachimura stepping in to take his place in the starting lineup.
This season, Doncic has missed eight games due to various leg injuries and entered the contest leading the league in scoring with an average of 33.4 points per game, in addition to 8.7 assists and 7.9 rebounds.
Thursday marked only the 10th game this season in which Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves were all available to play together—James had been sidelined for the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica affecting his lower back and right side, while Reaves just made his return on Tuesday after a 19-game absence caused by a left calf strain.
