Lakers’ Luka Doncic day-to-day with sprained ankle

Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss Thursday’s home game against the Bucks with a right ankle sprain, as first reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

A team source told Hoops Wire that Doncic’s injury is considered “day-to-day.”

Doncic had previously been ruled out for last Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets due to left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.

Since being acquired in last month’s blockbuster trade involving Anthony Davis, the five-time All-NBA first-teamer has played 16 games for the Lakers, averaging 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.9 steals.

Los Angeles has even gotten better defensively since Doncic came on board. No really.

“Since Feb. 10 with the Lakers, he has given up only 0.81 points per direct isolation against him, which is the third-best mark among 23 players to defend at least 40 iso possessions over that stretch, according to Second Spectrum,” McMenamin wrote. “From Jan. 30 to March 6 — right after Davis’ last game played with the team through just before their four-game slide — the Lakers led the NBA in defensive efficiency.

“They ranked first in opponent 3-point percentage allowed, second in transition defense and third in field goal percentage allowed on layups and dunks, according to Second Spectrum tracking.”

Basically, his arrival has significantly boosted LA’s championship aspirations, even in a competitive Western Conference that includes the 57-12 Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Nuggets, who boast MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. On Wednesday, the Lakers beat the Nuggets for the second straight time since acquiring Doncic.

With Doncic and LeBron James both sidelined, the Lakers are notably short-handed. James has been out since suffering a groin injury on March 8. In Doncic’s absence, players like Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent will be tasked with stepping up and assuming greater responsibility in the backcourt.