Luka Doncic is listed day-to-day with a back and torso issue and is questionable for the Lakers' game at Detroit on Sunday. Los Angeles is 8-2 and 1-0 without him this season.
What happened
The Lakers' injury report posted Saturday, Nov. 7, at 5:22 p.m. ET lists Luka Doncic as day-to-day with a back and torso issue. The report's comment reads that Doncic (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons. His expected return is listed as Nov. 8. His previous status on this report is not announced. Earlier this season he was listed out on Oct. 28 with the same back and torso designation. He moved to day-to-day on Oct. 29 and was cleared the same day. He also carried a day-to-day rest designation on Oct. 16 before being cleared.
What it means for the Lakers
The Lakers are 8-2, hold the top seed and have won four straight. Next is a game at the Pistons on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Doncic has played nine games and averages 35.9 minutes, 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Los Angeles is 7-2 with him and 1-0 without him. In games without him, Austin Reaves plays 36.1 minutes and scores 23.5 points. Walker Kessler gets 31.2 minutes and 14.6 points. Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle each play between 24 and 26 minutes. Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton fill out the rotation.
What to watch
The next update is the final status before Sunday's 6 p.m. ET game at Detroit. The report lists an expected return of Nov. 8, which is the Pistons game, but the team has not said he will play. Questionable means the decision is open. No timeline beyond Sunday is announced. No other Lakers player is on the report. Watch whether Doncic is upgraded or ruled out before tipoff, and who starts in his place if he sits.
Is Luka Doncic playing at the Pistons?
He is questionable for Sunday's game at the Pistons, which tips at 6 p.m. ET on NBA TV. The injury report lists him as day-to-day with a back and torso issue. A final decision is not announced.
When will Luka Doncic be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Nov. 8, the date of the Pistons game. He is questionable, so that is not a confirmed return. No longer timeline is announced.