After getting bodied by the Boston Celtics on Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to bounce back against the 76ers in Philadelphia on Sunday night. Luckily, they’ll be getting a key contributor back.
After missing L.A.’s last two games for personal reasons, star guard Luka Doncic will be back in action against the Sixers. Doncic is not listed on the official injury report for the contest, indicating that he will be available to play.
Luka Doncic will play vs. 76ers after missing 2 straight games
Doncic missed the last two games due to the birth of his second daughter. He had traveled to Ljubljana, Slovenia, to be with his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, for the delivery. Doncic has since returned to the United State and rejoined the team.
The Lakers went 1-1 in the two games that Doncic missed, but they’ll certainly be happy to have the star guard back on the floor. Doncic is leading the league in scoring at 35.3 points per game and he’s also fourth in assists per performance at 8.9.
L.A. enters the game in Philadelphia second in the Western Conference standings with a record of 16-6. Meanwhile the Sixers sit sixth in the East at 13-9 The matchup will be the first of two on the season between the two teams. The Lakers will also host the Sixers on Feb. 5.
While Doncic will be back, the Lakers won’t have the services of veteran guard Marcus Smart in Philadelphia. Smart has been ruled out of the game due to a left lumbar muscle strain.
