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Typically, Luka Doncic sits out the opening minutes of the second and fourth quarters for the Los Angeles Lakers. In Wednesday's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Lakers held a 94-73 advantage entering the final period and were still ahead by 20 points with 6:51 left. At that juncture, Doncic was sent back onto the court, a move that raised eyebrows among fans.
Soon after, Doncic landed on Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma while attempting a long jumper and tweaked his right ankle, forcing him to leave the game almost immediately. Coaches usually avoid reinserting stars and starters late in the fourth quarter with a large lead to prevent injuries, but Lakers coach JJ Redick faced questions about his decision after the game, as reported by Lakers Nation.
Redick explained that the team had set a cutoff point of around four minutes or a 20-point margin, referencing how a previous game against the Raptors unfolded. He added that Doncic likely would not have re-entered had Collin Sexton not suffered a head injury. With Sexton and Austin Reaves unavailable, Redick felt compelled to put Doncic back in for a brief stint to maintain or extend the lead, and then the ankle tweak occurred. "There's nothing you can do about that," Redick said.
Reaves had left the game in the third quarter due to a heel ailment sustained on a dunk. Midway through the fourth, Sexton suffered an open wound on his head after a head-to-head collision with Bucks guard Ryan Rollins and required sutures, according to Redick.
The good news is that Doncic may be available for the Lakers' next game on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday that Doncic woke up without pain in the right ankle he tweaked.
Even without Doncic, Reaves, and Sexton, the Lakers closed out the Bucks for a 123-112 victory, improving to 11-2 and extending their winning streak to seven games. That 11-2 mark stands as the best record in the NBA.
Key Analysis
Redick's decision highlights the delicate balance coaches face between managing player health and navigating in-game circumstances. While the Lakers were in control, the unexpected losses of Sexton and Reaves forced Redick's hand, demonstrating how quickly depth can be tested. Doncic's swift recovery is a relief for Los Angeles, whose league-best record and seven-game streak underscore their resilience despite injury scares.
Originally reported by yahoo.