The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic for Saturday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to left groin soreness. Doncic, who leads the NBA in scoring, played through discomfort earlier this week but will now miss his first game since the trade. His absence is a major blow for a team already struggling.

Doncic's injury comes at a critical time for the Lakers, who have lost eight of their last 13 games to fall to fifth in the Western Conference. The star guard had been carrying the offensive load, and his availability has been a question mark since he first felt groin tightness before a game against Sacramento. His latest update is a setback for their playoff positioning.

The team also listed backup center Jaxson Hayes as questionable with a hamstring issue and added starting center Deandre Ayton to the injury report with left knee soreness. With multiple big men ailing, the Lakers' frontcourt depth is being tested. The Blazers game will now serve as a test of the team's resilience without its primary scorer.