Luka Doncic Out for Lakers vs. Nuggets with Calf, Ankle Injuries Amid LeBron's Absence

Luka Dončić will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night as they take on the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers confirmed Doncic will not play because of left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain. Los Angeles will also be without LeBron James, who has not played since March 8 with a groin injury.

Dončić made his Lakers debut on Feb. 10 following the blockbuster Feb. 1 trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis.

He had played his last game for the Mavericks on Dec. 25 before he was sidelined by a non-contact left calf injury that kept him out for over a month prior to the trade.

The injury continued Dončić's history of calf injuries, which include the issue that sidelined him for the 2024 preseason and part of the 2022 playoffs.

In 22 games prior to his injury, Dončić was averaging 28.1 points per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 35.4 from behind the arc for the Mavs.

Those production and shooting rates were down from the NBA-leading 33.9 points per game Dončić last season before leading the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.

Keeping Dončić healthy will be important for the Lakers as they hope to see his production rates climb while adjusting to his new teammates.

Getting Dončić back on the court as soon as possible could also help James thrive once he returns from injury. Redick indicated before the 2024-25 season that he wanted to use James more off the ball, and keeping Dončić in the lineup could make it easier to achieve that goal.