Lakers’ Luka Doncic sitting out against Pistons with back ailment 

Luka Dončić missed the Los Angeles Lakers’ road game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday after the team ruled him out with low back tightness. The absence came during a back-to-back set, leaving his availability for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks uncertain.

It was Dončić’s second missed game in the Lakers’ first 11, both due to back tightness during back-to-backs. He entered the weekend leading the NBA with 40.1 points per game, alongside 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists, and had scored at least 40 points in four consecutive games. Detroit also sat out centre Jalen Duren, who is expected to be reassessed in two weeks after starting on-court activities.