Lakers’ injury list
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
DENVER (AP) — Luka Doncic won’t play against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, joining LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers’ lengthy list of unavailable players.
The Lakers ruled the star guard out on the second night of back-to-back games because of left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.
“Yeah, just the nature of a bunch of guys dealing with injuries and the schedule. There is not much we can do about that,” coach JJ Redick said. “But we are going to try to win a basketball game.”
James’ son, Bronny, was on hand after being recalled from the G League. Redick said he’d be available against the Nuggets but his minutes would be limited because he wasn’t feeling well.
“He’s a little under the weather and the altitude is significant here,” Redick said. “We’re going to monitor him just in terms of his fatigue and might play him in shorter bursts, and frankly that might be a good thing for him just to kind of just go all out. I think his comfort level both on and off the ball, G League and then also in the minutes that he’s had in the last couple of appearances with us, he’s looked sharp.”Doncic had his highest-scoring game with the Lakers on Thursday, scoring 45 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 126-106 loss in Milwaukee.
James is missing his third straight game with a left groin strain and has already returned to Los Angeles along with Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee.)
Also, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are both listed as doubtful to rest left ankle injuries.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Aaron Gordon (sprained right ankle) would play against the Lakers.
