Luka Doncic has just managed what only Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have done as LA Lakers, team make smart decision

Luka Doncic is showing what he is capable of right now on a short-handed LA Lakers team.

The LA Lakers have a roster that needs some improvement, they made that clear when they traded for Mark Williams at the deadline, a deal that was later rescinded.

A succession of short-term injuries have left them briefly decimated, with the lack of depth exposed by starters LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura missing the last two games.

Former NBA star Paul Pierce recently urged the Lakers to punt on these games and rest Luka Doncic too, a decision the team have wisely made against the Nuggets.

Doncic will sit, Marc Stein has reported, a smart decision from the team.

Luka Doncic tried his best for the Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks, a game that was somewhat of an impossible match-up considering the team’s lack of defensive power.

Doncic did everything he could during the game, leaving Lakers fans pleased with his performance, just lamenting the lack of help.

The Slovenian scored his highest numbers yet for the Lakers, 45 points. He needed to go big to give his team some respectability on the scoreline, a 126-106 defeat.

Luka Doncic’s 45 points involved seven three-pointers. And this was a historically impressive individual performance.

Per Stat Muse, Doncic is only one of three Lakers ever to score 45 points or more in a game, with seven three pointers or more.

The only other players to manage this statistical feat are LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. It is incredibly esteemed company to be keeping.

Pulling Luka Doncic out of the Lakers vs Nuggets game is a shrewd move. The reason cited was calf injury management.

Doncic suffered with injuries in the first half of the season with the Dallas Mavericks, and this ridiculous slate of Lakers back to back is not helpful.

His big game against the Bucks was impressive, with 11 rebounds secured too. But there is no reason to put more wear and tear on his body, on a night where he would be swimming against the tide.

The Lakers face the Suns back in LA on Sunday, and Doncic will hope to have a little help if he makes his return.