Luka Dončić may be sidelined with a hamstring strain, but he’s still managing to steal the spotlight-from the bench.
During the Lakers’ matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, cameras caught Dončić in a lighthearted moment with teammate Maxi Kleber. Early in the first quarter, with the Lakers holding a narrow 14-13 lead, Dončić was seen playfully reaching toward Kleber’s neck, prompting a quick dodge from the forward. The moment, shared widely on social media, gave fans a glimpse into the chemistry and camaraderie that exists off the court.
And Luka wasn’t done. When Austin Reaves drained a slick two-pointer, Dončić mimicked the shot with a flick of his wrist-then gave Kleber a playful tap on the head.
As Kleber turned around, Dončić clapped innocently, pretending he had nothing to do with it. Kleber wasn’t fooled, giving him a shove in return.
It was a small moment, but one that highlighted Dončić’s trademark mix of competitiveness and joy-traits that have endeared him to fans and teammates alike.
Of course, the reason Dončić was in street clothes is no laughing matter. He’s currently dealing with a mild left hamstring strain suffered during the Lakers’ win over the 76ers on February 5. The injury forced him out late in the second quarter of that game, and it kept him on the sidelines for L.A.’s 105-99 win over the Warriors as well as this latest contest against OKC.
Still, if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Dončić since he entered the league, it’s that he brings the same energy whether he’s on the floor or not. That joy and passion are part of what’s made him one of the NBA’s most compelling stars.
Dončić’s journey to the NBA is well-documented, but it never stops being impressive. After turning pro with Real Madrid at just 16 years old, he played three seasons in Europe before entering the 2018 NBA Draft. Selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks, he was traded on draft night to the Dallas Mavericks-a move that changed the course of both franchises.
Despite winning Rookie of the Year in his first season, Dončić recently admitted that he didn’t feel at home in the NBA right away. In a conversation with Basketball Network’s Jonas Panerio, he opened up about the early adjustment period.
“I would say two things the most. Like obviously, the talent.
The talent is - it’s crazy in the NBA. And then the physicality,” Dončić said.
“But then it was like just - I told myself, like, just remember how you play and you just translate your game from Europe to here.”
That mindset clearly paid off. Dončić has already been named to the All-NBA First Team five times and is a six-time All-Star in just eight seasons. His combination of skill, vision, and flair has made him one of the most dynamic players in the league-and one of the most fun to watch.
And that fun isn’t just reserved for game time. As Dončić himself put it: “I always talk about having fun on court.
Smiling. And that’s - that’s really true for me.”
Even while nursing an injury, Luka’s still finding ways to bring that joy to the game. Whether it’s hitting game-winners or goofing off with teammates on the bench, his presence is always felt. And once he’s back on the court, you can bet he’ll be making headlines for more than just sideline antics.