The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a major setback on Sunday as superstar Luka Dončić was diagnosed with a sprained left finger and lower leg contusion that will keep him sidelined for at least a week, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

While no NBA team—and certainly not one with a legacy as rich as the Los Angeles Lakers'—hangs a banner for a 2-1 start, the Purple and Gold should be generally pleased with how they've opened the new campaign.

The Lakers will rely more heavily on Dončić in the early going with LeBron James on the shelf due to sciatica. James is reportedly targeting a mid-November season debut, which gives Dončić about a month of runway as the unquestioned leader of the Lakers' lineup.

After a summer spent getting into top shape, excelling at EuroBasket and settling into Los Angeles, Dončić has become the fourth player in NBA history to begin a season with back-to-back 40-point performances — and he barely missed a triple-double twice, too.

Dončić will miss about a week with two injuries, according to a Sunday afternoon report from Shams Charania of ESPN. Per Charania, the five-time All-NBA guard has suffered a sprain to a left finger and a contusion to his lower left leg.

With Dončić sidelined due to injury along with almost 60% of the total Laker payroll against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Austin Reaves exploded for the best game of his career: 51 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and a badly-needed 127-120 victory with Dončić set to miss at least a week.

NBA coach throws major shade at Lakers roster while praising Luka Doncic's historic start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Dončić became the first player in NBA history to begin the season with consecutive 40-point, 10-rebound and 5-assist games.