Luka Doncic still absent for personal reasons as Lakers start road trip

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without star guard Luka Doni for the foreseeable future, potentially missing all three games of their upcoming road trip that starts tonight.

He is currently away from the team for personal reasons, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Thursday, December 4, ahead of their matchup with the Toronto Raptors. We hope to have him back soon, but theres no exact return date yet.

The Lakers listed Doni as absent on Thursdays official injury report prior to their game in Toronto. While no specific timetable has been set, it is expected that he may also sit out the next contest, as Los Angeles faces the Boston Celtics on the first leg of a back-to-back on Friday, December 5.

The teams three-game road trip will conclude on Sunday, December 7, in Philadelphia. Following that, the Lakers return home for an NBA Cup quarterfinal against the San Antonio Spurs, before embarking on another three-game stretch away from Los Angeles. Considering the travel schedule, the organization might wait for Doni to return before rejoining the team.

At 26, Doni has been exceptional this season, leading the league with 35.3 points per game while also averaging 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists. The Lakers currently hold a 15-5 record, placing them second in the Western Conference. In Los Angeles most recent game on Monday, December 1, against the Phoenix Suns, Doni posted 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 125-108 loss.

Author: Chloe Ramirez