NBA Rumors on Luka Doncic's Injury Status for Lakers vs. Rockets on Christmas Day

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić reportedly is expected to play on Thursday against the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on NBA Today on Wednesday.

Dončić did not play in Tuesday's loss against the Phoenix Suns with a calf contusion.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin previously reported the Lakers are "going to be working on some sort of wrap or perhaps padding" that he can wear to protect his leg moving forward.

Dončić suffered a left leg contusion in the first half of the Lakers' Saturday night road game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

He was visibly limping as the Lakers left the court for the break.

Dončić did not return for the second half, during which he was replaced in the Lakers' starting lineup by Dalton Knecht.

His injury left LeBron James as the only regular starter available against the Clippers.

The Lakers were already missing Austin Reaves (calf), Deandre Ayton (elbow) and Rui Hachimura (groin) ahead of Saturday night's matchup.

Dončić went into Sunday night leading the NBA with 35.2 points per game while also leading the Lakers per contest in assists (9.1), steals (1.7) and minutes (37.4).

He struggled early Saturday night with shooting, starting the game 0-for-16 and ultimately recording 12 points in 20 minutes before leaving the contest.

This isn't the first time the Lakers' star scorer has been sidelined by a leg contusion. Dončić sat out three straight games in October after suffering a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion.