Overview
- The Lakers announced at halftime that Dončić would not return after sustaining a left leg contusion, following visible limping from a second‑quarter tweak.
- Before exiting, Dončić logged 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes on 4-of-13 shooting with four turnovers.
- Dalton Knecht started the second half in Dončić’s place as reserves such as Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt absorbed additional minutes.
- The team did not provide a timetable for Dončić’s return, and the next game at Phoenix on Dec. 23 leaves limited time for evaluation.
- The injury came two nights after Dončić’s 45-point triple-double vs. Utah, with the 19-7 Lakers facing a 6-21 Clippers team that had James Harden reported available.