Luka Doncic receives crucial injury update ahead of Bulls matchup
The Los Angeles Lakers got significant injury news before their upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls, as LeBron James was upgraded to questionable. While this doesn’t guarantee that James will play, the Lakers can expect at least one member of their star duo to be on the court. Luka Doncic was absent in the Lakers’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks, but he is expected to return to the lineup.
Doncic was officially listed as probable on the Lakers’ injury report for Saturday’s game against the Bulls. He was among several players who sat out against the Bucks due to it being the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers are currently navigating a challenging portion of their schedule with minimal practice time available.
Along with Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jarred Vanderbilt—who also missed the Nuggets game—were all upgraded to probable. Rui Hachimura was moved up to questionable, while Gabe Vincent was downgraded to the same status.
James has been out for the Lakers’ last six games with a groin injury, whereas Hachimura has missed the past nine games due to a knee issue.
Doncic’s return is a major boost for the Lakers, who continue to fight for playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference. With a 43-26 record, they currently sit fourth in the West, just half a game behind the Nuggets.
Since joining the Lakers via trade, Doncic has played 16 games, averaging over 34 minutes per contest. He has been posting 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three, and 77.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Beyond his offensive impact, Doncic has also played a vital role in the Lakers’ defense, which ranks among the league’s best.