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.

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.

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.

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.

There's no indication that Nico Harrison's status as Dallas Mavericks general manager is in jeopardy right now, but team doesn't appear to be in a rush to extend his deal in the aftermath of the Luka Dončić trade.

The major storyline is Luka Dončić guiding the Lakers to a dominant win over a top-tier foe in the Western Conference, dispatching Minnesota by a final margin of 128-110. However, the Slovenian’s individual excellence is to be marveled at: