Lakers face unexpected challenge as Luka Doncic’s sudden absence shocks fans ahead of Portland showdown

Luka Doncic, the electrifying force behind the Lakers’ offense, is set to sit out Saturday’s clash in Portland, sidelined by persistent left groin soreness, the team confirmed Friday. It’s a tough blow — the NBA’s top scorer, averaging a staggering 33.6 points per outing, has been battling through the pain since a tough loss to Sacramento earlier this week. Still, he pushed through a brutal five-games-in-seven-days stretch, but this time the body’s calling a timeout. To complicate matters, the Lakers might be shorthanded with injury questions looming over their two big men, Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, making this weekend’s matchup a real test of depth and resilience. Fans and fantasy managers alike will be keeping a close eye on how the Lakers adjust without their star and what this could mean for their playoff aspirations. LEARN MORE

Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss Saturday’s game in Portland because of left groin soreness, the team announced Friday.

Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer averaging 33.6 points per game, appeared to struggle with a groin injury during a loss against the Sacramento Kings on Monday. But he didn’t miss games on Tuesday and Thursday as the Lakers (24-15) traversed a particularly difficult week of five games in seven days.

Doncic led the Lakers to a win against Atlanta, and he played a team-high 35 minutes and 43 seconds in Thursday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets. He scored 39 points with four assists in the loss, which was the Lakers’ fourth in the last five games.

The Lakers, who finish a back-to-back set on Sunday at home against the Toronto Raptors, could also be without both centers against Portland. Starter Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) and backup Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring tendinopathy) are both questionable. Ayton is averaging 13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. Hayes has missed the last two games because of the injury but coach JJ Redick said Thursday the 7-foot center could be back this weekend.

Forward Adou Thiero remains out with a right medial collateral ligament sprain and guard Austin Reaves is closing in on the final week of the initial four-week timetable provided for his left calf strain. After aggravating the injury on Christmas Day, Reaves was ruled out for at least a month before he would be reevaluated.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.