Lakers’ Injury Management Strategies
In an effort to protect star guard Luka Doncic from injury, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick and his coaching staff are exploring strategies aimed at minimizing the physical contact Doncic experiences during games. Following practice on Monday, Redick elaborated on the team’s injury situation ahead of their upcoming match against the Phoenix Suns, confirming that center Deandre Ayton will return after sitting out the last two games due to left elbow discomfort.
Current Player Status
Luka Doncic, currently leading the NBA in scoring with an impressive average of 34.1 points per game, is among several players listed as day-to-day, along with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who are dealing with a mild left calf strain and right groin soreness, respectively. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent continues to be sidelined with lower back tightness. Redick mentioned that Doncic sustained his injury after being kneed by Clipper’s Bogdan Bogdanovic in their recent encounter.
Protecting Doncic
The Lakers have observed that Doncic frequently gets hit on his lower legs, which has prompted discussions about potential strategies to safeguard him from collisions during play.
“It could just be the deception. I don’t know,”
Redick remarked, referencing Doncic’s unpredictable pace with the ball.
“The way he uses his body? I don’t know. We’ll have to explore ways to possibly protect against these incidents.”
Updates on Other Players
Austin Reaves, recovering from injury, was seen shooting on the court post-practice, leading to inquiries about his timeline for return. Redick emphasized the importance of Reaves feeling completely confident in his recovery before returning to play.
“When he feels 100% confident and he doesn’t feel any pain,”
is what they are looking for, Redick noted.
As for Rui Hachimura, Redick stated there were no new updates on his condition but confirmed that Ayton participated fully in practice and is ready to compete against the Suns. Ayton, second in the league for field-goal percentage at 71%, expressed enthusiasm about his return, stating confidently,
“Most definitely, I’m straight. Most definitely.”
Conclusion
This comprehensive take on the Lakers’ injury updates indicates the team is not only hopeful about Ayton’s return but also actively working to safeguard their key players ahead of a crucial game.
Stay informed on all things Lakers by signing up for the weekly newsletter.
