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Injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic in street clothes gets ready to shot a long shot from the bench before the game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has missed the team’s last four games, but the Slovenian standout remains determined to take part in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles — even if only briefly.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dončić is trending toward playing in the midseason showcase after responding well in recent workouts.
“The Lakers’ Luka Dončić is indeed on course to play for a short stint in Sunday’s All-Star Game after a strong pregame workout Thursday,” Stein reported Friday, citing league sources.
Lakers Taking Conservative Approach With Hamstring Injury
Dončić has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, one that the Lakers have managed carefully with the second half of the season in mind. Prior to Thursday’s 124–104 win over the Dallas Mavericks, head coach JJ Redick said the 26-year-old has progressed well but emphasized restraint.
“I think part of him wanted to push to get back prior to the break,” Redick said. “But we’ve got to be cautious with soft tissue injuries. We were very cautious with Austin, and you just saw what happened with Jalen Williams coming back. We all feel comfortable with the decision to hold him out, and he should be good to go post-All-Star break.”
Redick declined to address Dončić’s All-Star availability directly, saying the decision would come from above the coaching staff.
“That’s above my pay grade,” he said.
Dončić still completed a pregame workout Thursday, a development that fueled optimism around his readiness to participate in some capacity.
‘Token Appearance’ Scenario on Table for All-Star Game
While Dončić’s status remains technically uncertain, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin suggested that a limited appearance is a realistic outcome.
Speaking on SportsCenter, McMenamin said Dončić could make what he described as a “token appearance” — similar to how Kobe Bryant approached the 2008 All-Star Game.
Bryant played just three minutes in that game while dealing with a dislocated finger.
“Perhaps that would be what we get from Luka on Sunday if he doesn’t feel fully recovered from that hamstring,” McMenamin said.
McMenamin added that Dončić’s injury has been characterized as a mild hamstring strain, which typically carries a recovery timeline of seven to 10 days.
“That recovery window includes the All-Star Game,” McMenamin noted, reinforcing the likelihood that any participation would be carefully controlled.
All-Star Appearance Holds Personal Significance for Dončić
Dončić was voted an All-Star starter for the sixth time this season and, for the first time in his career, finished as the league’s leading vote-getter with more than 3.4 million fan votes.
“That’s meaningful to him, to be out there on the court to represent his fans,” McMenamin previously reported.
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 12 games this season due to leg-related injuries, with the Lakers going 6–6 in those contests.
If Dončić does suit up Sunday, his minutes will be tightly limited — a compromise that allows him to acknowledge fan support without risking further injury.
Lakers Focused on Post-All-Star Availability
For the Lakers, the broader priority remains Dončić’s availability after the break rather than the optics of All-Star Weekend.
The organization has consistently prioritized long-term health over short-term exposure, particularly with soft-tissue injuries that can linger if rushed.
If current trends hold, Dončić is expected to make at least a brief All-Star appearance before shifting full focus toward returning to game action when the Lakers resume play.
Whether he plays three minutes or slightly more, Dončić’s presence Sunday would serve as a symbolic moment — acknowledging fan support while reinforcing the Lakers’ commitment to caution as they prepare for the stretch run.
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
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