Luka Doncic And Austin Reaves Both Leave Los Angeles Lakers’ Win Over Milwaukee Bucks With Injuries, But Doncic Says He Is "Fine"

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-112 on Wednesday night, but the win may have come at a steep cost. Luka Doncic rolled his right ankle late in the fourth quarter, and Austin Reaves left earlier with a left heel injury and did not return. Doncic says he is fine, while Reaves is set for more imaging on Thursday. Lakers coach JJ Redick has been mostly calm about both, but the team will be watching closely, since the two stars have carried the early part of the season.

Luka Doncic Rolls Ankle After Landing On Kyle Kuzma's Foot

Doncic hit a stepback three over Kyle Kuzma with just over four minutes to go, and his ankle twisted as he landed on Kuzma's foot. The shot was later changed to a long two-pointer, and he was fouled on the play. He stayed down for several moments, grabbing at his leg, before getting up and walking around. He then made the free throw and went to the locker room.

Redick called it a “tweak” and said he believes Doncic will be fine. Doncic agreed. “I'm good, obviously it's painful a little bit but I'll be fine,” he said. Redick added that Doncic would not even have been in the game at that stage if Collin Sexton had not left after a headbutt. Sexton needed stitches near his temple.

Doncic finished with 32 points, five rebounds and five assists. He was averaging 39.3 points per game before Wednesday and is making an early case for MVP. He missed the Nov. 8 game against Detroit with lower-back tightness.

Austin Reaves Leaves With Heel Injury, Lakers Get Three Days Off

Reaves hurt his left heel midway through the third quarter. He limped back on defense after a turnover and subbed himself out at the end of the possession. The Lakers later ruled him out. He had 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in 25 minutes.

Redick said X-rays came back negative, but the nature of the injury is still unclear. Reaves will get further imaging on Thursday. Redick said the team is not worried that it is an Achilles injury. Reaves entered the night averaging a career-high 25.2 points.

The Lakers are 11-2, the best record in the NBA, and have won seven straight. They now have three days off, their first such break this season, before finishing a four-game road trip on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.

For now, the Lakers can only wait on Thursday's results and hope both stars are back soon.