Luka Doncic Shines with 27 Points as Lakers Take Down the Hawks
Lakers Dominate Hawks Despite Injury Concerns for Doncic and James
In an unexpected turn of events, both Luka Doncic and LeBron James took to the court for the Los Angeles Lakers’ pivotal matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The pair had been listed as questionable due to injuries—Doncic with left groin soreness and James dealing with left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica.
Leading up to the game, the Lakers struggled with their shooting, ranking among the worst in the league for three-point shooting and defensive efficiency. However, on this night, they turned the tide, outperforming expectations to secure a commanding 141-116 victory at Crypto.com Arena.
“I didn’t expect him (James) to be able to play. I mean, that’s just the nature of a 41-year-old body who plays heavy minutes,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “But both those guys completely led the group tonight and it was evident with 22 assists between them.”
Feeling soreness in his groin from the previous night’s game against the Sacramento Kings, Doncic was initially uncertain about playing but ultimately delivered a robust performance with 27 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. “For me, I want to play,” Doncic remarked. “So, obviously I wasn’t feeling 100%, but in my head, I always want to play.” After 33 minutes on the court, he acknowledged feeling “a little bit worse than yesterday,” but expressed confidence that he would be fine.
James, who last week opted out of playing during a back-to-back game, made a significant impact against the Hawks, nearly achieving a triple-double with 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. He described his preparation routine, which included time in a cold tub and a hyperbaric chamber, along with a focused game-day regimen. “And then me and my trainer looked at each other, and I said, ‘I think I feel pretty good,’” James detailed.
Entering the game, the Hawks were ranked fourth in the league for three-point shooting, making the Lakers’ defensive effort even more crucial. Ultimately, Los Angeles held Atlanta to 45% shooting and a mere 28.3% from beyond the arc while shooting a remarkable 55.9% (19 for 34) from three-point range themselves.
With their offensive prowess on display, the Lakers amassed a hefty 81 points in the first half, marking a season-high for points in a half and establishing a 23-point lead early in the game. Doncic remarked, “We shared the ball great. We knocked down shots, so it was very fun out there.”
Rui Hachimura returned to the lineup after missing seven games due to a calf strain, contributing seven points and two rebounds in 18 minutes. Additionally, the Lakers signed guard Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract, while backup center Jaxson Hayes remained sidelined with left hamstring soreness, pending further evaluation.
In conclusion, the Lakers’ impressive performance against the Hawks not only showcased their potential but also raised questions about their resilience, especially concerning the health of their star players as the season progresses.
