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Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will make his debut against the Utah Jazz after his status improved to probable on the team's latest injury report and his teammate LeBron James received the same prognosis. After both were listed as questionable, Doncic is expected to return from a calf strain injury, and James is dealing with a sore left ankle.
However, Lakers fans will soon see both superstars take the floor together in purple-and-gold for the first time on Monday, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
“After a morning workout, Luka Dončić (sidelined since Christmas by a left calf strain) has been upgraded to probable tonight against Utah … as has LeBron James (left ankle soreness),” Stein reported.
Doncic, who suffered the injury on Christmas Day, hasn't played in an NBA game since. However, his debut comes at an ideal time as the Lakers are heating up, winning five consecutive games, including nine of their last 10 outings.
Los Angeles, 31-19, has climbed to the fifth place in the Western Conference. Lakers superstar LeBron James has a lot to do with that success despite his recent injury, scoring a season-high 42 points on 14-of-25 attempts, including 6-of-9 from deep to go with his 17 rebounds in a 120-112 win against the Golden State Warriors. James was ruled out of Saturday's 124-117 win against the Indiana Pacers due to his calf injury. Still, the Lakers prolonged their winning streak in his absence.
Reasons Lakers agreed to deal for Mark Williams amid ‘debate'
Lakers basketball executive Mark Pelinka traded for Hornets center Mark Williams amid an in-house debate over the haul, which included rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and a future first-round pick. Despite the Lakers' due diligence in looking into Williams' medical history, new concerns emerged upon his arrival.
However, finding a suitable replacement for former Lakers center Anthony Davis was a priority for the team amid landing Luka Doncic, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
“Though parting with Knecht and a first-rounder was considered a steep price compared with other deadline deals around the league, Pelinka made the trade, sources said, to establish goodwill with Doncic and improve the current roster,” McMenamin reported. “It was, team sources said, an ‘all in' deadline. Even if the Williams trade fell apart, “it wasn't for lack of trying,” one source said.
“There was also some internal calculus on the real value of that 2031 pick, sources said. Plus, Williams' fit was a necessity, one Lakers source said; Knecht's was a luxury.”
Knecht will rejoin the Lakers this week.
