Los Angeles Lakers News: JJ Redick Provides Crucial Luka Doncic Availability Update as MVP Contender Misses Celtics Game Amid Baby Birth

LA Lakers coach JJ Redick provided an update on the possible return of superstar Luka Doncic, who is set to miss a second straight game on Friday.

Redick said Doncic will return "soon" and could suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Dave McMenamin

@mcten

JJ Redick says Luka Doncic will be back with the Lakers “soon” and did not rule out him playing in Philadelphia on Sunday, calling it a “possibility.”

The Lakers have listed Doncic as out for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics due to personal reasons. The 6-foot-8 star is reportedly in Slovenia for the birth of his child.

Doncic has been producing MVP-caliber numbers in his first full season with LA. The five-time NBA All-Star is averaging a league-leading 35.3 points to go with 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists on 47.8% shooting. Doncic also leads the NBA in free throws made (9.7) and attempted per game (11.9).

The Lakers are No. 2 in the Western Conference with a 16-5 record. They are coming off a 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. Rui Hachimura knocked down a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer.

LeBron James has also been ruled out for Friday's game

After initially listing him on the injury report as doubtful for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, the LA Lakers announced that LeBron James will be out because of sciatica and arthritis in his left foot.

In Thursday's win over the Toronto Raptors, James played a season-high 36 minutes in just his sixth game. He finished with eight points, 11 assists and six rebounds on 4-for-17 shooting.

LA is on the second game of a back-to-back on Friday. James also sat out the team's back-to-back set last week. Lakers coach JJ Redick told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that James will be able to play in back-to-backs as he becomes fully healthy down the stretch.

With James and Luka Doncic out, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are expected to carry the offensive load for LA on Friday. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent, Jake LaRavia and Nick Smith could have increased playing time.