PORTLAND – Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to left groin strain, the team announced Friday.

Doncic, 26, had 39 points, four assists and three rebounds in Los Angeles’ 135-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, before the Lakers’ 124-112 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Doncic said he “felt something” in his groin during warmups but played anyway and received treatment for his inner leg during the game.

He had 42 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds against the Kings, and the following night he had 27 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds in a 141-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks on a game-time decision.

Doncic leads the league in points with 33.6 points per game and is the Western Conference’s top vote-getter with two All-Star votes.

Despite his personal success in his first full season with the Lakers after his shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks last February, the Lakers have been on a bit of a slump, losing eight of their last 13 games and falling to fifth place in the West.

After the Hornets game, Doncic pointed to the Atlanta win as proof that LA can overcome its current funk.

“The way we played against Atlanta, we had back-to-back games, so that’s what we said to ourselves.” [that we are capable]“We had to play like that,” Doncic said. Fast play, play that takes advantage of physicality. I think Atlanta was a good example for us. ”

The Lakers also announced Saturday that backup center Jackson Hayes is questionable due to injury after missing the last two games with a left hamstring tendon injury, while starting center Deandre Ayton has been added to the injury report. Ayton is questionable due to sore left knee.