Inside The Nuggets

Luka Doncic' Statement on Availability in Lakers-Nuggets

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic gives an injury update before facing the Denver Nuggets
Mar 8, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) watches the ball during warmups before a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Mar 8, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) watches the ball during warmups before a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

After superstar forward LeBron James went down with a groin injury, the Los Angeles Lakers have been a completely different team. The Lakers have now lost three consecutive games, their last two being without James, as five-time All-Star Luka Doncic has not been able to do enough to drag them to wins.

On Thursday night, the Lakers suffered a 20-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, even though Doncic dropped 45 points and 11 rebounds on 14-27 shooting from the field and 7-13 from beyond the arc.

The Lakers now head into the second leg of a back-to-back, traveling to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

The Nuggets have three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic leading the way, so the Lakers will certainly need Doncic to suit up to have a chance against this third-place Denver squad. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Doncic is unsure if he will be good to go, giving an update on his status after Thursday's loss in Milwaukee.

"We'll see," Doncic said about his status for Friday's game in Denver.

Through 13 games since getting traded to the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 26.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists, taking over LA but still needs to prove he can win without James.

The Nuggets have lost two of their last three games, and while Friday's game against the Lakers is expected to be a challenging one, Denver will catch a serious break if LA is without James and Doncic.

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Logan Struck
LOGAN STRUCK

Logan Struck is a writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's On SI since 2023

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