Luka Dončić sidelined for Lakers-Pistons game due to back tightness
The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Detroit Pistons without their leading scorer on Sunday.
Luka Dončić has been ruled out for Sunday's Lakers-Pistons game because of lower back tightness. The Lakers are 8-2 and tied for the best record in the Western Conference.
Key takeaways
- Luka Dončić is out for Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons due to lower back tightness
- The Lakers announced his status hours before the 6 p.m. ET tip in Detroit
- This is Dončić's second missed game of the season, both due to back tightness
- The Lakers won their previous game without him 103-87 against the LA Clippers on Oct. 28
- The Pistons lead the NBA in points allowed at 101.8 per game
Luka Dončić will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers in Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons because of lower back tightness. m. ET tip-off at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. ESPN identified Dončić as the NBA's leading scorer.
The Lakers downgraded him to out after he entered Sunday listed as questionable. It is not clear if the injury will sideline him for multiple games.
Why it matters
7 assists per game as Los Angeles is tied for the best record in the Western Conference at 8-2.
The Lakers are off to an 8-2 start with Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler anchoring the lineup in the first season since the departure of LeBron James. Dončić is playing like an MVP candidate as the primary driver behind the Lakers' strong start.
The Lakers are certainly hoping that is back injury isn't one that will linger.
What happens next
Sunday's game against the Pistons is the first of a back-to-back. The Lakers will visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Sunday is the first leg of a four-game road trip for the Lakers, continuing Monday for the second night of a back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks followed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday and Phoenix Suns next Sunday.
By the numbers
Dončić has missed one other game to start the season, also because of lower back tightness and in a back-to-back scenario. The Lakers won that game 103-87 against the LA Clippers. This will be Dončić's second missed game of the season. A. is 1-0 without him.
The Lakers enter Game 11 of 82 riding four straight wins, most recently overcoming a 16-point deficit behind Dončić's season-high 53 points in Friday's 124-118 win over Portland. 8 per game. Detroit won six of its first seven games before losing to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Detroit will be without Jalen Duren because of a right hamstring strain. The Pistons also announced Sunday that Duren, sidelined since last month with a right hamstring strain, will be reevaluated in two weeks. A.
its starting center for a matchup in which his screening, finishing and rebounding could carry added importance.
Lakers and Pistons season records and scoring
Team | Record | Points allowed per game |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Lakers | 8-2 | Not listed |
Detroit Pistons | 6-2 | 101.8 |
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