EL SEGUNDO — Lakers star Luka Doncic’s status is considered “day-to-day” after he was diagnosed with a lower left leg contusion, Coach JJ Redick told reporters on Monday.
Doncic was seen with a wrap around his lower leg during Monday’s practice.
He suffered the injury during Saturday’s road loss to the Clippers, and he was ruled out at halftime.
Redick said Doncic suffered the injury when he was kneed by Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.
While it wasn’t exactly clear which play Redick was referencing, Bogdanovic kneed Doncic in the calf during a post-up around the 3:51 mark of the first quarter.
Doncic didn’t speak with reporters after Saturday’s game or after Monday’s practice. He finished with 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting (1 for 6 from 3-point range) and four turnovers to go with five rebounds and a pair of assists in 20 minutes in the opening two quarters.
Guard Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and forward Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness) are also day-to-day with their respective injuries ahead of Tuesday’s road game against the Phoenix Suns.
Guard Gabe Vincent (low back soreness) remains sidelined.
Reaves missed the last three games and was a partial participant in Monday’s practice.
“Given the nature of that area,” Redick responded when asked what it’ll take for Reaves to ramp up as part of his return to play, “I think it’s when he feels 100% confidence, and he doesn’t feel it hurting.”
Starting center Deandre Ayton will be back in the lineup against the Suns after missing the previous two games because of left elbow soreness.
He suffered the injury during the Dec. 14 road win against the Suns.
“Really, I don’t know, it’s a physical game,” Ayton responded when asked how the injury happened. “I don’t know, the adrenaline was pretty high and trying to rebound, tangle up, boxing out and I think I just hyperextended it a little bit. That’s about it. A little tightness, we checked it out.”
AWARD RECOGNITION
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced last week that Ayton was named the November recipient of the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for his philanthropic efforts in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Los Angeles.
The NBA and NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to the Ayton Family Foundation to continue its impactful community initiatives.
Ayton addressed the honor with reporters for the first time after Monday’s practice.
“I’m speechless, to be honest,” he said. “It’s something I didn’t expect. I tried my best to give back and just contribute the best way I can, and things me and my family care about, I can just say thank you.
“It’s something I’ve never been in a position like that, where I got an award like that. So it’s more like just, you know, we’re honored. We’re not going to stop doing what we do, but I truly appreciate the community, especially the Lakers, people being on this platform, making it worldwide.
LAKERS AT SUNS
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m. PT
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix
TV/Radio: Spectrum SportsNet/710 AM