The Los Angeles Lakers’ injury concerns lingered heading into the All-Star break, with superstar guard Luka Doncic sidelined for the team’s final four games.
Doncic suffered the hamstring injury during the first quarter of the Lakers’ February 6 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers and has not played since.
The setback came at an unfortunate time, interrupting what had been another dominant stretch for the Slovenian star.
Head coach JJ Redick struck an optimistic tone throughout the recovery process, repeatedly suggesting the injury was not serious and that a return before the break was possible.
That scenario did not materialize, as Doncic remained sidelined for the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star festivities against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks .
However, his latest update offers strong reason for optimism.
Lakers Star Luka Doncic Nearing Return From Injury
During All-Star media availability on Saturday, Doncic addressed his recovery and hinted that his return to the court is imminent. He even suggested he could participate in Sunday’s All-Star Game.
“I feel pretty good,” Doncic told reporters, via the Los Angeles Times . “You know, I’ve been working to get back. Obviously [I] wanted to play the last game, but it wasn’t possible. I was almost there, so I think I’ll play a little bit.”
According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike , Doncic is expected to start Sunday’s All-Star Game, marking his sixth appearance at the event.
Woike noted that Doncic will be on a minutes restriction and is expected to appear only briefly in the opening game of the night’s format.
That update aligns with earlier reporting from NBA insider Marc Stein , who said on Friday that Doncic was “on course to play for a short stint in Sunday’s All-Star Game after a strong pregame workout Thursday.”
The Lakers’ next game is scheduled for February 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers , giving Doncic additional recovery time following the break.
His participation in the All-Star Game would be a clear sign that he remains on track to return to full action when the regular season resumes.
Workload and Durability Remain Key Factors
Questions surrounding Doncic’s durability have surfaced in recent months , largely due to his immense workload.
Through 42 games, Doncic is averaging an NBA-leading 32.8 points per game while logging 35.5 minutes per contest, the eighth-highest average in the league.
For much of the season, he ranked among the top three in minutes played, highlighting the physical demands placed on him as the Lakers’ offensive engine.
Doncic has openly acknowledged managing lingering soreness throughout the season, a reminder of the cumulative toll that comes with carrying such a heavy load.
The Lakers have also navigated several injury interruptions involving Doncic this season, including a left finger sprain, recurring leg discomfort, and both lower back and ankle issues that have forced him to miss time.
In his absence, Los Angeles managed a 2–2 record over the four games he missed heading into the break, though the team suffered back-to-back losses to Western Conference contenders, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs .
With the Lakers sitting at 33-21 and firmly in the playoff mix, the organization is prioritizing long-term health over short-term urgency.
The team adopted a similarly cautious approach with Austin Reaves , who recently returned from a 19-game absence due to a calf injury.
The Lakers delayed his return beyond the initial recovery timeline to ensure he was fully healthy, avoiding the risk of aggravation.
Several factors now work in Doncic’s favor. The All-Star Game being held in Los Angeles, followed by a three-game homestand, allows him to continue ramping up without the strain of travel.
All signs point towards a return in the near future, and for the Lakers, that timing could prove pivotal as they prepare for the season’s final stretch.
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