The Lakers’ first back-to-back of the season will be without Luka Dončić.
After falling to the Blazers on Tuesday, the Lakers released their injury report hours before Wednesday’s game against the Clippers with Luka included on it. The superstar will be out with back tightness, the first game he’ll miss in the young season.
Ziaire Williams will also be out with left foot soreness. Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr both remain out.
Luka did miss time during the preseason, but it was never for any actual injury. Back tightness is a vague enough term to not raise too many concerns, at least not yet. For now, it mainly just seems like an opportunity to get him some rest.
Tuesday’s game against Portland was the start of five games in seven nights, so it’s not a surprise that the team is finding some rest for Luka. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Austin gets the same treatment during the span, too.
For Williams, a foot injury did limit him during the preseason, though it’s not clear if this is the same foot. Again, this early in the season and given the context, it’s fair to assume this is management and rest.
Carr did have an optimistic update on his status from head coach JJ Redick prior to Tuesday’s game. He took part in practice with Coachella Valley, which Redick said was an “important step” toward returning. He was assigned to Coachella Valley again on Wednesday afternoon, which is encouraging as well.
There has been no further updates about Thiero after Redick said he would be shut down for a couple of days in the opening week of the season.
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