Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave an update on star Luka Doncic’s injury after Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Lakers pulled off a second-half comeback against the Sixers, winning the game 119-115. In the second quarter, Los Angeles ended up losing Doncic for the rest of the game.
The Slovenian star ended up grabbing his left leg after a play and went straight into the locker room, not coming out for the second half.
“He got some soreness in his hamstring. He didn’t feel like it was good enough to go back in, neither did medical. So we helped him out. Go get some imaging. To early to say if any injury, but just had a sore hamstring,” Redick said after the game.
Doncic finished the season with 10 points, going 3-for-10 from the floor and 0-4 from deep, along with 4-for-4 free throws. Additionally, he put together four rebounds and two assists.
Luckily for Doncic, the All-Star break is coming, so he can rest his leg. He has high usage on the court, with ball-handling duties and a need to create for others, which can lead to injuries across his body.
How did the Lakers beat the Sixers?
Luckily for the Lakers, while Luka Dončić missed the second half, returning guard Austin Reaves found his offensive groove and proved the difference-maker.
He scored 35 points on 12-for-17 shooting from the floor, along with 5-for-8 from deep and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Reaves paired the points with six rebounds and two assists.
After the game, Redick was singing Reaves’ praises, highlighting his impact and how sharp he looked in his second game back from a lower-body injury.
“It’s remarkable what he was able to do tonight in his second game back (from injury),” Redick said.
