Luka Dončić didn’t hold back after the Lakers’ 123–116 loss to the Warriors on Thursday night. “Unacceptable,” he said of his play, taking the blame after scoring just 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
“When I play like that, that makes [it] harder [for the team] to win, so just got to figure that out,” Dončić said.
Luka Doncic when asked about his left elbow:
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 1, 2025
"it's terrible… will be fine in 2 days"
As Luka and the reporters laugh about it. pic.twitter.com/6HOSPq582e
He came into the game nursing a sore left elbow, which took several hits in Monday’s win over Houston. The joint was heavily wrapped postgame, though Dončić insisted it was “fine.”
Lakers point guard missed all six of his three-point attempts and finished with his lowest scoring total since Feb. 22, according to Bleacher Report. It was also Luka Dončić’s first game without a made three-pointer since April 7, 2023.
The Warriors repeatedly forced switches to get Stephen Curry isolated on Dončić defensively. Curry dropped a game-high 37 points and led Golden State to its fourth straight win.
The loss dropped the Lakers to fourth in the West at 46–30. But the standings are tight, 2.5 games separate the teams fighting for spots 3 through 8. Golden State climbed to the No. 5 seed and now trails L.A. by only one game, setting up a possible playoff clash.
Dončić and the Lakers don’t have much time to regroup. They’re back on the court Friday night against the Pelicans, then head to Oklahoma City for two games against the Thunder on April 6 and 8.
Lakers provide disappointing update on Maxi Kleber injury
The Lakers’ latest update on Maxi Kleber’s injury isn’t what fans were hoping for. With just six games left before the playoffs, Los Angeles still doesn’t have a clear return date for the veteran forward.
Kleber is seen as the final key piece to complete the Lakers’ roster ahead of the postseason. He also offers much-needed size and flexibility in the frontcourt rotation. Hopes rose earlier this week when footage surfaced of him shooting during practice. But those hopes quickly dimmed after Jovan Buha of The Athletic shared the team’s vague statement on Thursday.
“Maxi Kleber has progressed to on-court activities after undergoing right foot surgery Jan. 30,” the update read. “He will continue his return-to-play process, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”
Update from the Lakers: Maxi Kleber has progressed to on-court activities after undergoing right foot surgery Jan. 30.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 4, 2025
Kleber will continue his return-to-play process and further updates will be provided as appropriate.
For a team trying to build momentum before the playoffs, that lack of clarity is frustrating. The Lakers close out the regular season on April 13 against the Trail Blazers.
If Kleber doesn’t return before then, plugging him into playoff minutes without a real sample of how he fits – or how healthy he is – would be a risky move. And right now, risk is the last thing this Lakers team can afford.
READ: Lakers vs. Warriors Felt More Like a Hollywood Premiere Than an NBA Game
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