Just when it looked like the Lakers were finally turning a corner on the injury front, they’ve been hit with another tough setback - and this one involves Luka Dončić.
Late in the first half of Thursday night’s game against the Sixers, Dončić came up limping after what looked like a non-contact tweak. He briefly grabbed at the back of his left leg - the kind of motion that immediately raises red flags - and though he stayed on the court for a few more possessions, it was clear something wasn’t right. After a timeout, Dončić headed straight to the locker room and didn’t return to the game.
When the second half tipped off, Dončić was still in the back, and Rui Hachimura took his place in the starting lineup. Midway through the third quarter, the team officially ruled him out with what they called “left leg soreness.” While there was visible concern around the hamstring area when he initially went down, the exact nature of the injury remains uncertain.
After the game, head coach JJ Redick confirmed it was indeed the hamstring that was bothering Dončić, but didn’t offer much beyond that.
“He felt some soreness in his hamstring,” Redick said. “So, he didn’t feel like it was good enough to go back in.
Neither did medical. So we held him out.
He’ll get some imaging. Too early to say.”
The timing couldn’t be much worse for Los Angeles. Austin Reaves had just returned to the lineup after missing a month with a calf strain, and the hope was that the Lakers’ Big 3 - Dončić, Reaves, and their third star - could finally start building some chemistry on the floor. Instead, they’re back to square one.
Thursday’s game marked just the 10th time this season that the trio has shared the court. And even that number is a bit misleading - it includes the Christmas Day matchup where Reaves exited at halftime and now this one, where Dončić didn’t return after the break.
With no clear timeline for Dončić’s return, all eyes now turn to the upcoming All-Star break. The silver lining? The break is in Los Angeles this year, meaning Dončić won’t have to travel if he’s selected to participate - and more importantly, it gives him a built-in recovery window without missing too many games.
Still, the Lakers are left holding their breath. Dončić is the engine that makes this offense go, and any extended absence would be a significant blow to a team that’s been fighting to climb the standings. For now, it’s a waiting game - and one the Lakers have played far too often this season.