Bucks Will Face Lakers Without Stars Luka Doncic, LeBron James

Milwaukee will play L.A. on the road without the Lakers' two best stars.

Feb 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images / Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks will play the Los Angeles Lakers on the road without L.A.'s two brightest stars.

While 21-time All-Star power forward LeBron James remains on the shelf with a groin injury, sources inform ESPN's Dave McMenamin that L.A. will also be missing five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic, who is still dealing with a right ankle sprain.

Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks as he continues to manage a sprained right ankle, sources told ESPN. Thursday marks the final game in L.A.'s brutal six games in eight days stretch of the schedule. LAL has gone 3-2 so far.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 20, 2025

As McMenamin notes, the Lakers have gone 3-2 in an intense eight-day slate so far, which wraps up Thursday with this Bucks showdown.

More Milwaukee Bucks: Top 3 Buyout Players for Bucks to Bolster Chances in Eastern Conference

Without Doncic, James, or Hachimura available, the Lakers could be hard-pressed to put up much of a fight against a Bucks club likely to be fielding most of its healthy roster — aside from sixth man power forward/center Bobby Portis, who continues to serve a 25-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy.

More Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard Refuses to Call Bucks Teammate by Viral Nickname

Doncic has looked impressive in the games he has played with Los Angeles, although a calf injury limited him for a while, and now the ankle sprain is doing the same. Across his 16 healthy contests with his new franchise, the 26-year-old star is averaging 26.5 points while slashing .405/.342/.771, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per bout.

In 38 total games between the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers this season, the 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 27.4 points on .440/.349/.769 shooting splits, 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 2.0 steals a night.

James, meanwhile, has been sidelined since L.A.'s 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on March 8 with the groin issue. Across his 58 healthy contests this year, the 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 25.0 points on a .517/.384/.770 slash line, 8.5 assists, 8.2 rebounds, 0.9 rebounds and 0.6 swipes a night. He needs to appear in just seven more regular season contests this year to qualify for what would be his 21st All-NBA squad.

When both James and Doncic sat out for head coach JJ Redick, in a 131-126 loss to the Denver Nuggets last Friday, head coach JJ Redick opted to start two-way player Jordan Goodwin for Doncic and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt for James.

More Milwaukee Bucks:

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Offers Sneak Peak at New Signature Shoe

Doc Rivers Slams Bucks' 'Trust' Following Another Loss to Cavaliers

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo On Verge of Reaching NBA Feat For First Time Since 1989-90

For more Bucks news, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI.