Doncic returns to Lakers’ lineup following birth of daughter, James back from nagging sciatica

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Luka Doncic and LeBron James returned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup Sunday night for a game against Philadelphia.

Doncic missed the last two games as he traveled to his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia where fiancee Anamaria Golte gave birth to their daughter, Oliva. James sat out Friday night against Boston with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis.

James, who will turn 41 on Dec. 30, played 36 minutes in the Lakers’ 123-120 win over Toronto on Thursday night. The game saw the end of James’ streak of 1,297 double-digit scoring games when the NBA’s career points leader finished with only eight points.

Lakers coach JJ Redick has two children with his wife, Chelsea, said he hoped Doncic would have enough energy to play after the long trip.

“We do know there was some travel involved to a different continent,” Reddick said. “We’re hoping he’s himself today.”

Doncic — who leads the league with 35.3 points in his first full season with the Lakers — had fans for both teams shouting congratulations as he ran onto the court for warmups.

Redick hoped Doncic would feel as rewarded as his family did when the Redicks welcomed a second child.

“If you’re in a career with pressure and stakes and anxiety and all the things that come with being a high achiever, it can really ground you,” Reddick said. “It can give you a sense of purpose and perspective that maybe you didn’t feel. I felt that with both my children. With Kai (his youngest), getting to be his night nurse for the first six, seven weeks of his life until the season started was one of the coolest experiences of my life.”

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