Luka Doncic has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday because of tightness in his lower back. The absence leaves the Lakers without the NBA's leading scorer for the matchup in Detroit.
Doncic has enjoyed a historically great start to the season, averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. The Lakers are tied for the best record in the Western Conference at 8-2, making his availability a key storyline as the team looks to stay near the top of the standings.
The Pistons also announced Sunday that All-Star center Jalen Duren, sidelined since last month with a right hamstring strain, will be reevaluated in two weeks. Detroit will be without a key frontcourt presence while it monitors his recovery.
Sunday marks the first leg of a four-game road trip for the Lakers. The schedule continues Monday with the second night of a back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks, followed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday and the Phoenix Suns next Sunday. Doncic has also missed one other game this season because of lower back tightness, in a back-to-back scenario. The Lakers won that contest 103-87 against the LA Clippers.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing