Luka Doncic scores 43 in Lakers’ loss, says groin issue ‘probably nothing

Luka Doncic scored 43 points in the season’s opener against the Golden State Warriors, but his efforts went in vain as the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 119-109 loss. The Lakers were without the services of their veteran LeBron James.

James will miss the start of this season as he is recovering from sciatica, which is described as symptoms of inflammation, irritation, or compression of the sciatic nerve.

On the other hand, Doncic downplayed any injury concerns after he received treatment on the inside of his right leg after the game against the Dubs.

“It’s probably nothing,” Doncic said after emerging at the postgame news conference nearly an hour and a half after the final buzzer. “Just felt it a little bit because my hip went [the opposite] way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”

Along with scoring 43 points, the Slovenian added 12 rebounds and nine assists for his team. He feels he is getting better on the defensive front as well.

“I think I’m getting better on the defensive end, I’m just trying to get more involved, more communication [with his teammates],” Doncic said. “But overall, 41 minutes, so I like that.”

The Lakers were also outscored 35-25 in the third quarter, which broke the game open for Golden State, and head coach JJ Redick was not happy.

“The trend I see is that we continue to be a terrible third-quarter team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “That was last year. That was the preseason. Gotta rethink some things and it’s, you know, a two-way thing with the guys. What do they need at halftime to make sure they’re ready to play? They’re not ready to play to start the third quarter.”

The Lakers will next take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at home.