The Los Angeles Lakers are taking no chances with their newest superstar.
After playing 33 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Luka Doncic has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to left calf injury management.
Doncic scored 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting, including a 1-for-9 performance on 3-point attempts. The Slovenian superstar added 11 rebounds and eight assists, but also committed six turnovers and five personal fouls while playing in his longest performance since joining the Lakers in a blockbuster trade with Dallas.
“Obviously, it's going to take a little time,” Doncic said. “Today, a lot of rustiness from my part. Started the game with like four or five turnovers. That can't happen. Just got to play basketball the right way.”
Wednesday's game was frustrating to Doncic, who was playing only his third NBA game following a 6 1/2-week absence due to a calf strain incurred on Christmas. On a couple of occasions when this normally electrifying scorer managed to make a shot against the Hornets, Doncic reacted with a visible mix of relief and frustration.
Doncic is 16 for 45 from the field in his three games with the Lakers, but just 5 for 24 on 3-point attempts — including 2 for 16 in his two home games, where fans have buzzed with anticipation of each shot and then groaned at each clank.
The Lakers' other superstar, LeBron James, is listed as listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Blazers due to left foot injury management. James, who pulled out of Sunday's All-Star at the last second with "ankle and foot discomfort," also played on Wednesday.
The Lakers are currently fifth in the Western Conference but have lost their past two games to two of the worst teams in the league — the Hornets and Utah Jazz.
— With files from the Associated Press
