Lakers' Luka Doncic Limping Out vs 76ers

Lakers star Luka Dončić was ruled out of Thursday’s game vs. the 76ers with left leg soreness after leaving in the second quarter with a limp. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported "there is some initial optimism" he won’t miss long; Dončić had 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting in 16 minutes and enters the injury note after recent groin, calf and finger issues while still averaging 33.4/7.9/8.7. Merlin sees durability as the true test. Los Angeles is already juggling LeBron’s late start and Austin Reaves’ absence, so even a short Luka layoff forces role players into heavy minutes and alters rotations. Dončić has a history of staying available most seasons, so the spell looks more caution than catastrophe — but the Lakers’ margin for error is thin.