Getty
Injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic sits in street clothes on the bench between Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxi Kleber and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt another blow just days before the NBA All-Star break, as franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić remains sidelined with a left hamstring strain.
Citing league sources, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Wednesday that Dončić will not play Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks, his former team, extending his absence to four consecutive games.
“He is still progressing in his rehab and hopes to be able to make an appearance in Sunday’s All-Star game, sources said,” McMenamin wrote on X.
The decision removes what had been a highly anticipated reunion matchup and underscores the Lakers’ increasingly cautious approach with their newest superstar as the regular season grinds toward the break.
Lakers Maintain Cautious Tone on Dončić’s Recovery
Before Tuesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Lakers head coach JJ Redick offered only a brief update on Dončić’s condition.
“Luka continues to progress,” Redick told reporters, declining to elaborate further.
That guarded messaging marked a shift from earlier optimism. Earlier this week, McMenamin reported that Dončić had resumed running and was expected to participate in five-on-five contact work, with hopes of returning in time to face Dallas.
Instead, the Lakers elected to hold him out — either signaling heightened caution or suggesting the injury may be lingering more than initially believed.
NBA Insider Explains Outline for Lakers Star
Appearing Friday on Get Up, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst outlined the key distinction shaping Dončić’s recovery timeline.
“It really comes down to, is this a mild strain, a first-degree?” Windhorst said. “If that’s the case, the All-Star break comes next week and he could be back without missing too many games. If it’s a more serious Grade 2, now you’ve got a bigger problem.”
While Redick has repeatedly characterized the injury as a “mild strain,” Thursday’s game will mark roughly one full week since Dončić suffered the setback — a notable checkpoint for hamstring recoveries.
Windhorst added that Dončić’s recent injury history places added emphasis on caution, particularly given how much strain his usage places on his lower body.
Injury Came After Strong Performance vs. 76ers
Dončić exited the Lakers’ 119–115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers late in the second quarter last Thursday and did not return. The injury was initially labeled as left leg soreness before an MRI confirmed a hamstring strain.
“Even though it’s considered a mild strain, he’s never really dealt with a hamstring issue before in his eight-year NBA career, so the rehab is new to him,” McMenamin said Tuesday on SportsCenter.
That unfamiliarity has further complicated expectations for a quick return.
Dončić leads the NBA in scoring at 32.8 points per game, while also averaging 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds. He has already missed 11 games this season due to leg-related injuries, with the Lakers posting a 5-6 record in those contests.
All-Star Appearance Now in Doubt
Dončić’s status for Sunday’s All-Star Game is now uncertain.
The 26-year-old was voted an All-Star starter for the sixth time and, for the first time in his career, finished as the league’s leading vote-getter with more than 3.4 million fan votes — a milestone he values deeply.
“That’s meaningful to him, to be out there on the court to represent his fans,” McMenamin said.
Redick previously acknowledged Dončić’s desire to play in the midseason showcase.
“I’ve been around him as a teammate and as a coach, and I know if he’s able to play, he plays,” Redick said Saturday. “He wants to be in the All-Star Game.”
For now, however, the Lakers appear focused on the long view — prioritizing Dončić’s health over short-term optics as the postseason race tightens.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories