West Notes: Mavs, Luka Doncic, Lakers, Clippers, Kawhi Leonard

Mavericks

Star guard Luka Doncic underwent an MRI on his injured left thigh Thursday and results came back clean, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

In other words, Doncic isn’t expected to miss any time, or if he does, it is likely to be minimal. More specifically, he is “expected to return as soon as discomfort allows him,’ Wojnarowski reported.

Doncic suffered the injury in Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans. It was initially listed as a thigh strain. He indicated it’s actually been an issue for several weeks.

“I think it was the second game after the All-Star break,” Doncic said when asked when the injury initially occurred, via Andrew Lopez of SPN. “Something like that… This one, I didn’t get hit. So this is kind of weird for me. I don’t really know what it is.”

Dallas next plays Saturday, when it visits the Grizzlies.

Lakers

• Center Mo Bamba has a high left ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
• Meanwhile, the Lakers are expected to get back guard D’Angelo Russell from an ankle injury of his own in time for Friday’s game vs. the Raptors, as we relayed here.
• As for star forward LeBron James, there is a growing sense he won’t return from his foot injury until right before the playoffs, or the play-in tournament — assuming the Lakers make it. We have that full post here.

Clippers

Forward Kawhi Leonard suggested defense should be the name of the game for the Clippers as they near the postseason — and even more than ever.

“I thought we did a good job of talking and getting back in transition,” he told reporters after Wednesday’s home win over the Raptors. “We need to come out with a defensive mindset. That is what needs to improve for us to keep moving forward.”

Coach Tyronn Lue echoed those sentiments.

We have to continue to keep working defensively on our foundation,’ Lue said. “There’s going to be a lot of that moving forward, especially with the new additions.”