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

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has been ruled out for game against the Phoenix Suns due to a calf contusion. However, there is optimism he could return for Thursday's Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets, with ESPN's Dave McMenamin reporting a "very real possibility" if he feels good enough. The team is also preparing protective wrapping or padding for his leg.

Dončić sustained a left leg contusion during the first half of the Lakers' road game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He was seen limping as he left the court at halftime and did not return for the second half, being replaced in the starting lineup by Dalton Knecht. His absence left LeBron James as the only regular starter available for that game, as the Lakers were already missing Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura due to other injuries.

Entering Sunday, Dončić led the NBA with an average of 35.2 points per game and also led the Lakers in assists (9.1), steals (1.7), and minutes played (37.4) per contest. In the game against the Clippers, he struggled offensively, starting 0-for-16 from the field and finishing with 12 points in 20 minutes before exiting due to the injury.

This is not the first leg contusion issue for Dončić this season; he previously missed three consecutive games in October due to a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion. If he is forced to miss additional time, the Lakers will hope for the return of other injured starters to help compensate for the absence of the league's leading scorer.