Lakers Luka Doncic downplays groin injury after 43-point opener

Luka Dončić played a dominant 41 minutes in the Los Angeles Lakers' season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors, scoring 43 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists despite appearing to tweak his right groin near the end of the game. Although he was seen grabbing at his inner leg and spent extra time receiving treatment postgame, Dončić downplayed the injury as "probably nothing" and expressed confidence in his defensive improvement. The Lakers also faced challenges without four-time NBA MVP LeBron James, who is sidelined with sciatica, making Dončić's health crucial for the team. Despite Dončić's strong performance, the Lakers struggled with turnovers and three-point shooting, contributing to their 119-109 defeat. Coach JJ Redick highlighted the team's ongoing issues with third-quarter performance, emphasizing the need for adjustments. Overall, Dončić reassured fans that his injury was minor, and he remains a key player for the Lakers this season.