Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic went to the locker room with one minute left in the second quarter of Game 5 on Wednesday night in apparent lower back pain after getting hammered by Minnesota’s Donte DiVincenzo and Rudy Gobert.
DiVincenzo was called for the foul as Doncic drove toward the rim for a shot with 1:01 left in the quarter. Doncic fell to the court and winced in pain before getting up and making both free throws. The Lakers quickly fouled so they could sub out Doncic and look at him in the locker room.
Doncic, who was wearing a back brace when he returned from the locker room for the second half, was on the court to start the third quarter. His mobility was clearly affected, but he played most of the rest of the game.
Doncic missed 32 regular-season games this season, mostly with knee and calf injuries.
The Timberwolves won the game 103-96 and the series 4-1. Doncic had 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic injury update: Lakers star plays with injured back in exit
