Lakers take seven-game streak to Phoenix with Doncic expected to play, Reaves day to day

The Los Angeles Lakers go to Phoenix on Sunday at 11-2, winners of seven straight and four in a row on the road. The bigger news from the three days off is that both of their stars look likely to be available. Luka Doncic rolled his right ankle late in Wednesday's 123-112 win at Milwaukee, and Austin Reaves limped off in the third quarter with a left heel injury. Coach JJ Redick has since said Doncic is fine and should play against the Suns. Reaves is listed as day to day, according to Yahoo Sports.

Reaves had clean X-rays on Wednesday night. After seeing how he felt Thursday morning, he and the team's medical staff decided he did not need further imaging. Redick described the problem as a heel bruise and played it down: "I would assume a day-to-day injury is minor, yeah," he told Yahoo Sports. ESPN's game preview lists Doncic, Reaves and Quentin Grimes (finger) as day to day for Los Angeles. ClutchPoints reported that Collin Sexton is also day to day and that Grimes took part in the team's stay-ready game. On the Phoenix side, center Mark Williams is out with a shoulder injury.

The Lakers have a lot riding on their backcourt. As The Associated Press reported, Doncic leads the NBA at 38.6 points per game and Reaves ranks 15th at 24.7. The AP also noted that both missed significant time late last season after getting hurt in the same April game at Oklahoma City. Doncic did not play again that season. That history is one reason a pair of minor knocks drew close attention this week.

What it means for Sunday in Phoenix

On paper, Los Angeles has the edge. The Lakers are second in the Western Conference and 6-1 away from home. Their only road loss was a 112-95 defeat at Golden State. During the seven-game streak they have scored 125.3 points per game and allowed 115.0. For the season they are scoring 122.2 and allowing 114.2. The four straight road wins came at Sacramento, Detroit, Atlanta and Milwaukee, and the last three were all decided by 10 points or fewer. That steady road form is what Sunday's game puts on the line.

Phoenix is 5-6, 11th in the West and third in the Pacific Division, five games behind the Lakers. The Suns have won two straight and are 5-3 at home, so they have been much better in Phoenix than on the road. Without Williams, they are short a big body against a Lakers team that has topped 120 points in six of its last seven games.

This is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. The next one is also in Phoenix, followed by two at Crypto.com Arena. If Reaves can play, the Lakers bring close to a full rotation into a building where the Suns have held up well. If he sits, more of the load falls on Doncic, who is coming off an ankle tweak. That sets up an early test of how deep this roster is.