Toronto Raptors fans hoping to witness Luka Doncic in purple and gold will have to wait until next year.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard will miss Thursday’s game in Toronto (Sportsnet, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT) due to personal reasons, the team announced Wednesday.
Additionally, the Raptors have ruled out centre Jakob Poeltl for the first half of a back-to-back as he continues to manage a back injury, and wing RJ Barrett will remain out with a knee injury.
Bench guard Ochai Agbaji will also miss the game for the Raptors due to personal reasons, the team added on Thursday.
Doncic has been on an unreal run for the Lakers of late, scoring at least 33 points in his last seven games. On the season, the Slovenian superstar is averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists while helping the Lakers to a 15-5 record and second in the West.
This will be the fourth game Doncic has missed this season after missing three consecutive games in late October with a finger sprain and lower-leg contusion.
Poeltl, meanwhile, is set to miss his seventh game as he continues to work through a back injury he’s been dealing with since leaving a game with tightness in his lower back on Oct. 27. He last missed Sunday’s game against the Knicks on the second half of a back-to-back.
The Austrian big man has been key for the Raptors down the middle, averaging 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 72.7 per cent from the field.
Barrett, on the other hand, is set to miss his sixth consecutive game with a right knee sprain suffered against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 23. The team announced last Wednesday that he would be reevaluated in seven days.
The Mississauga, Ont., wing was enjoying a productive second full season with his hometown Raptors, averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting a career 50.6 per cent from the field and 35.6 per cent from three-point range.
Agbaji, 25, has played 16 games for Toronto on the season, averaging three points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists per contest while struggling to a 5.3 three-point percentage (1-for-19).
The Raptors are currently 15-7 and sit second in the Eastern Conference. They’re set to host the Lakers on Thursday, followed by the Hornets on Friday as part of a five-game homestand.
