The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night, with Luka Doncic leading the charge, contributing 20 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. Despite a hard fall that left his elbow feeling “terrible,” Doncic intends to play in Thursday’s crucial matchup against the Golden State Warriors, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register.
Luka Doncic Injures Elbow In Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Houston Rockets
The Lakers’ 46-29 record currently places them fourth in the Western Conference, but with the Warriors only two games behind, Thursday’s game carries significant implications for both teams’ playoff positioning. Since joining the Lakers via trade from the Dallas Mavericks, the 26-year-old Doncic has averaged an impressive 27.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.7 steals across 22 games, shooting 41.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range.
While Doncic has navigated some injury concerns, his overall performance has been impactful, and he is developing strong chemistry with his new teammates. The combination of Doncic and LeBron James, coupled with Austin Reaves’ continued development into a third star, makes the Lakers a compelling team to watch in the postseason.
The path to an NBA Finals victory will be challenging, particularly with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s presence in the Western Conference. However, the Lakers possess the potential for a deep playoff run.
As they prepare to host the Warriors, all eyes will be on Doncic’s availability. While he has expressed his intention to play, fans should remain attentive to the official NBA injury report leading up to Thursday’s game.