NBA injury update: Will Luka Doncic suit up for Christmas Day as Los Angeles Lakers await big decision vs Houston Rockets?

It's unclear if star guard Luka Doncic will be able to play when the Los Angeles Lakers play on Christmas Day. Doncic has been battling a calf contusion in his left leg, but the Lakers will play the Rockets as part of ESPN's five-game NBA schedule on Christmas. Dončić still has "a very real possibility" of feeling fit enough to play against the Rockets, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

The Lakers are "going to be working on some sort of wrap or perhaps padding" that he may wear going forward to preserve his leg, according to McMenamin. He sustained the injury against the Los Angeles Clippers last Saturday, which prevented him from playing against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Both games were losses for the Lakers.

Luka Doncic’s availability remains uncertain ahead of Los Angeles Lakers’ Christmas Day clash

Due to a calf strain, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić will not play against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. However, it appears like he may play against the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day on Thursday.

Three days prior to their game against the Rockets on Christmas Day, the Lakers practiced on Monday. The standout guard was then given a daily call by head coach JJ Redick. Due to a left calf contusion, Doncic was unable to play in Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns.

As the Lakers left the court for the break, he was clearly limping. In the second half, Dalton Knecht took Dončić's place in the Lakers' starting lineup. LeBron James was the only regular starter available against the Clippers due to his injury.




ESPN's Dave McMenamin stated before the game that Doncic's injury was "just a bruise" and that the team would investigate a "wrap" or "padding" to assist him. McMenamin added:

"There's still a possibility - a very real possibility - that he feels good enough to go Thursday [Christmas] against the Rockets."

Despite having a 19-9 record going into the match, Los Angeles is still leading the Pacific Division. The Lakers ended November on a seven-game winning streak, but they are currently 4-5 in December.

Doncic has been unable to play due to a "left calf contusion." It was unclear exactly when he sustained the injury during Saturday's game against the Clippers. He could make a comeback on Thursday after missing just one game, but it was bad enough to keep him out of Tuesday's loss to the Suns.

Los Angeles Lakers prepare for Christmas Day clash against Houston Rockets with injury concerns lingering

As part of a five-game holiday schedule, the Lakers will play the Rockets on Christmas Day. The tip-off from Los Angeles, California's crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. On Christmas Day, fans can watch the Lakers play the Rockets on ESPN and ABC.

Cord-cutters can watch the game on the ESPN App or Fubo, which offers a free trial and includes ABC and ESPN in its channel list.

Prior to Saturday night's game, the Lakers were already without Austin Reaves (calf), Deandre Ayton (elbow), and Rui Hachimura (groin). The Lakers will look to get some of their other starters back in the lineup as soon as possible to help make up for the NBA's top scorer if Dončić is forced to miss further time.


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