Luka Doncic is still dealing with an injury. Expected to return soon
Luka Doncic’s transition to his new team following a trade will take longer than usual due to an injury that has sidelined him for weeks.
The Slovenian star has not played since December 25, when he was forced to exit a matchup against the Timberwolves after logging just 16 minutes on the court. Medical evaluations later confirmed that he sustained a strain in his left calf.
Luka Doncic’s extended absence has significantly impacted his season, as missing 18 consecutive games since his injury automatically disqualified him from being considered for the MVP award.
ESPN’s Marc Stein previously reported that both Doncic and his team had set a target return date of February 8, the day Mavericks’ hoped to have him against Houston. Now it is left to see if he will.
When will we finally see Doncic in Lakers uniform
Luka Doncic’s recovery timeline appears to be on track, and he could still be available on February 8, the same day the Lakers are set to face the Pacers at Crypto.com Arena.
The night before, on February 7, they host the Warriors, and just a few days later, on February 11, they take on the Jazz—potentially a more suitable date if they choose to give him additional time before his return. Looking further ahead, on April 10, the Lakers will travel to Dallas, just days before the regular season concludes.
During his time away from the court, there are indications that Doncic may have put on some weight, and it’s possible the Lakers are waiting for him to regain optimal condition before making his highly anticipated debut.
Before his injury, the Slovenian star was posting impressive numbers, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game—production he now brings to his new team.
