Luka Doncic injury update: Lakers star leaves game after hard fall vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Luka Doncic left Game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves after taking a hard fall at the end of the first half. Doncic was fouled by Wolves guard Donte DiVenchenzo and Doncic came down awkwardly.

He clutched at his lower back after the play. Despite this, Doncic shot his free throws, but came off the floor after the play. Doncic made both of his free throw attempts to cut the Minnesota lead to six points.

Despite the pain Doncic appeared to be in before the half, he was on the court for the start of the third quarter. NBA sideline reporter Allie LaForce provided an update on the Lakers’ star status as the second half began.

“Well, gentlemen, I was waiting for Luka to come out, and time was expiring at the half, and I looked over at JJ Reddick and LeBron James. They were staring down the hallway to see if he was coming out, so i don’t think anyone really knew his status until just now,” LaForce explained on the TNT broadcast. “The team said he is available to return. Obviously, he’s out there on the court but he has taped underneath his jersey on his lower back.”

Doncic’s fingerprints were all over the court before leaving the matchup. At the end of the first half, Doncic is the Lakers’ leading scorere with 12 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Doncic, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura have accounted for all but 17 of Los Angeles’ points in the first half.

The Lakers woud go on to trail the Timberwolves 59-49 at halftime. Down 3-1 in the series and now dealing with Doncic’s status in the second half, the Lakers backs are firmly against the wall in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.

This series alone, Doncic is currently averaging 30.8 points per game including 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He also leads the team in minutes played, averaging 42 minutes on the court during his first four playoff games with the Lakers.

If the Lakers can pull off the win in Game 5, the two teams will head back to Minnesota for Game 6 with the Timberwolves leading the series 3-2. Tip-off would be on Friday, May 2, inside the Target Center. However, that is only if the Lakers can are able to pull off the second-half comeback against the Timberwolves.