Luka

Dončić

Dončić led the way offensively for the Lakers, but give the Celtics credit for making him earn every bit of what he got. The Lakers’ guard shot 5-of-15 from inside the arc and, removing the February 5 game in which he injured his hamstring, the seven three-point attempts were the fewest in a game for Dončić since a January 9 loss to the Bucks in which he put up six. The Celtics consistently forced him inside the three-point line, resulting in a subpar effort by Dončić’s standards. The Lakers open their four-game Week 18 on Tuesday against the Magic.

Donċić stuffed the stat sheet in a major way on Friday. In his first game back from injury (hamstring), he nearly captured a 40-point double-double that included eight three-pointers and four stocks. The superstar guard also only turned the ball over a couple of times, further underscoring his excellence on the offensive end of the floor. He’ll have a chance to tally another outstanding performance in front of the national television audience when the Lakers host the Celtics on Sunday.

James, despite previously being listed as questionable, is available and starting against a Clippers team that’s fighting to get to .500. Dončić’s return from injury will give the Lakers a potent offensive unit on Friday, as they look to put together back-to-back wins and avenge a January loss to the Cllippers. They are currently fifth in the Western Conference standings.

Dončić and Ayton missed time before the All-Star break, but both players will be available against the cross-town rivals. Expect each of them to handle their typical workloads which will mean fewer minutes for Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes.

Dončić missed the Lakers’ last four games before the All-Star break, but he went through a rigorous workout ahead of Thursday’s win over the Mavericks. He’s come out of that session in good condition and will be available for a short stint on Sunday. With the new format for the All-Star Game, the question is whether he’ll play in just one of the potentially three short games for Team World. At the very least, Dončić’s participation on Sunday should ensure that he’s available for the Lakers’ first game after the break, February 20 against the Clippers, provided he does not aggravate the hamstring injury.

Dončić missed the last four games leading into the NBA All-Star break, but his coach told reporters he “should be good to go” as the Lakers open their second half schedule. Dončić’s next chance to play will come on Friday, February 20 against the Clippers.

Dončić will miss a fourth straight game entering the All-Star break, which means Rui Hachimura should remain a starter. Dončić’s status for the All-Star Game appears to be up in the air, but the added rest could help him be ready to return to the lineup for the Lakers after the break.

Saturday’s game will be the second that Dončić has missed since straining his left hamstring during Thursday’s win over the 76ers. Rui Hachimura was inserted into the starting lineup in Saturday’s win over the Warriors, due partly to Austin Reaves (calf) being limited to 25 minutes. Whether Hachimura starts on Monday will likely depend on Reaves’ minutes allowance.

Reaves’ minutes are still being restricted, and he played 24 on Saturday. That didn’t keep him from having a productive night off the bench, finishing with a stat line that only lacked a three-pointer. Counting Saturday, Reaves has recorded at least eight assists in ten of the 10 games he’s appeared in. With Luka Dončić sidelined, the Lakers will need a little more playmaking from Reaves, and he was up to the task against the Warriors.

Dončić suffered a strained left hamstring during Thursday’s win over the 76ers, exiting during the second quarter. Rui Hachimura started the third quarter, but Austin Reaves’ minutes restriction may have been the reason for that. Depending on how comfortable the Lakers are with Reaves playing starters’ minutes as he works his way back from a strained calf, it will influence who starts for Dončić.