Lakers' Luka Doncic out vs. Blazers due to groin soreness

PORTLAND — The Los Angeles Lakers will be without their superstar for a crucial road game, announcing Friday that Luka Doncic will miss Saturday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to left groin soreness.

The 26-year-old guard, the NBA's leading scorer at 33.6 points per game and the Western Conference's top All-Star vote-getter, is dealing with an issue that first surfaced earlier this week. Doncic revealed he "felt something" in his groin during warm-ups before Monday's loss to the Sacramento Kings but played through it, receiving in-game treatment. He subsequently logged heavy minutes in a back-to-back, including a 27-point, 12-assist performance in a win over Atlanta on Tuesday, before scoring 39 points in Thursday's loss to Charlotte.

Despite Doncic's prolific individual output in his first full season with the Lakers, the team has stumbled recently, losing eight of its last 13 games to fall to fifth in the competitive Western Conference.

"We told on ourselves [that we are capable]," Doncic said after the Charlotte loss, referencing the Atlanta win as a blueprint. "We got to play like that. Playing fast, playing with physicality."

The injury report compounds concerns for the Lakers. Backup center Jaxson Hayes remains questionable with left hamstring tendinopathy, and starting center Deandre Ayton has been added to the list as questionable with left knee soreness.

Doncic's absence Saturday will test the Lakers' depth and resolve as they attempt to halt their recent slide.