The Los Angeles Lakers were riding a wave of momentum following their impressive 120-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. While both teams were missing key players—Nikola Jokić for the Nuggets and LeBron James for the Lakers—the win was significant, propelling the Lakers past Denver for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
The Lakers’ balanced offensive attack saw six players score in double figures, with Luka Dončić leading the charge with 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block. This marked the eighth time Dončić has scored 30 or more points in his 16 games with the Lakers since his February trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
Luka Doncic Ruled OUT For Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Dončić’s performance generated buzz on social media, notably for his playful trash talk and his dominance in the first quarter. However, the Lakers will have to navigate their next game without him.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported, “Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks as he continues to manage a sprained right ankle, sources told ESPN.” This absence comes at the end of a demanding stretch for the Lakers, who have gone 3-2 in their last five games of a six-games-in-eight-days schedule.
Since acquiring Dončić, the Lakers have posted a 12-6 record, with him leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, three-pointers, and plus-minus. The timing of Dončić’s absence is unfortunate, as the Lakers face a struggling Milwaukee Bucks team that has lost five of its last seven games.