Luka Doncic Status Revealed Before Pivotal Bucks Matchup
03/20/2025 02:33 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently on a three-game winning streak despite LeBron James' absence thanks, in large part, to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic and Reaves have carried the Lakers offensively in these last three games and you'd have backed them to deliver again when the team took on the struggling Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
The Bucks have lost five of their last seven games, so a fourth straight win for the Lakers seemed to be on the cards. That's very much in doubt now, though. Dave McMenamin reports that Doncic, who is averaging 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game for the Lakers in 2024-25, won't be playing against the Bucks.
"Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks as he continues to manage a sprained right ankle, sources told ESPN. Thursday marks the final game in L.A.'s brutal six games in eight days stretch of the schedule. LAL has gone 3-2 so far."
Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks as he continues to manage a sprained right ankle, sources told ESPN. Thursday marks the final game in L.A.'s brutal six games in eight days stretch of the schedule. LAL has gone 3-2 so far.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 20, 2025
As McMenamin pointed out, the Lakers are about to wrap up a brutal stretch tonight. They have had three back-to-backs in eight days and it wouldn't be a surprise if a few of their players aren't in good shape at the moment.
Doncic had missed one of those games, against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, with ankle and calf injuries. It appears that the right ankle continues to bother the five-time All-Star and it would be wise not to take a risk here, even with this being a pivotal regular season game.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Lakers are currently third in the Western Conference with a 43-25 record. They would love to have home-court advantage in the playoffs but are just a game ahead of the 43-27 Memphis Grizzlies, who are fifth in the standings. One loss could well end up deciding if these teams start their postseason at home or on the road.
