 | CONNELL GRANGE SUPPLY WHERE THE CUSTOMER IS STILL THE COMPANY |
|
Printable Page
12/07 19:20 CST Doncic returns to Lakers' lineup following birth of daughter,
James back from nagging sciatica
Doncic returns to Lakers' lineup following birth of daughter, James back from
nagging sciatica
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Luka Doncic returned to the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup
Sunday night following an absence for the birth of his second child and Lebron
James was back from injury --- and again in the double-digit scoring column ---
for a game against Philadelphia.
Doncic missed the last two games as he traveled to his hometown of Ljubljana,
Slovenia where fiancee Anamaria Golte gave birth to their daughter, Oliva.
James sat out Friday night against Boston with sciatica, which kept him
sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis.
James, who will turn 41 on Dec. 30, played 36 minutes in the Lakers' 123-120
win over Toronto on Thursday night. The game saw the end of James' streak of
1,297 double-digit scoring games when the NBA's career points leader finished
with only eight points.
On Sunday against the 76ers, James reached 10 points in the second quarter.
Lakers coach JJ Redick has two children with his wife, Chelsea, said he hoped
Doncic would have enough energy to play after the long trip.
"We do know there was some travel involved to a different continent," Reddick
said. "We're hoping he's himself today."
Doncic --- who leads the league with 35.3 points in his first full season with
the Lakers --- had fans for both teams shouting congratulations as he ran onto
the court for warmups.
Redick hoped Doncic would feel as rewarded as his family did when the Redicks
welcomed a second child.
"If you're in a career with pressure and stakes and anxiety and all the things
that come with being a high achiever, it can really ground you," Reddick said.
"It can give you a sense of purpose and perspective that maybe you didn't feel.
I felt that with both my children. With Kai (his youngest), getting to be his
night nurse for the first six, seven weeks of his life until the season started
was one of the coolest experiences of my life."
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
