Luke Doncic's status was still unclear for Monday night's Lakers Vs Hawks matchup in Atlanta after he missed Sunday's game against the Pistons because of lower back tightness.
The uncertainty matters because Doncic has been central to the Los Angeles Lakers' strong start. The 27-year-old has played in nine of the team's first 11 games and is averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while helping push the Lakers to a 9-2 record.
Why this game carries extra weight
The Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks enter Monday night as two of the hotter teams in the league, which already gives the game some added appeal. Doncic's availability would change the tone of the matchup quickly, since the Lakers would be without one of the most productive players in the early season if he cannot go.
This is also a familiar setting for Doncic. On draft night, the Atlanta Hawks traded him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Trae Young, and his history against Atlanta adds another layer to the matchup. He also had one of the biggest nights of his career in Atlanta, when he scored 73 points there.
For the Lakers, the immediate question is simple: can Doncic recover in time to play? If not, Los Angeles will have to adjust on the fly in a cross-conference game that already carries plenty of attention. If he does suit up, the Lakers Vs Hawks meeting becomes even more of a showcase game for one of the league's biggest early-season stars.
