The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to be without star player Luka Dončić for the short-term, possibly for the entirety of their three-game road trip that begins tonight.
“Obviously, he’s away from the team for personal reasons,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters Thursday, Dec. 4 prior to the team’s game against the Toronto Raptors. “Hope to have him back soon, but don’t have a pin-pointed day yet.”
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The Lakers confirmed that designation on Thursday’s injury report ahead of the game in Toronto.
Though the team did not have a clear timeline, Dončić appears likely to also miss the team’s next game, given that the Lakers are on the first leg of a back-to-back. Los Angeles plays the Celtics in Boston Friday, Dec. 5.
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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warmsups prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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See Luka Doncic’s summer transformation
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warmsups prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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See Luka Doncic’s summer transformation
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Oct. 14, 2025.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 19, 2025.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) react after a basket against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Feb .10, 2025.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center on Dec. 3, 2024.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on Nov. 4, 2024.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates with teammates after a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 18, 2024
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates a basket as Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel reacts during the first half at Footprint Center on Dec. 25, 2023
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 23, 2023.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic in action during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center on Oct. 12, 2018.
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The Lakers are beginning a three-game road trip Thursday that concludes Sunday, Dec. 7 in Philadelphia. After that, they return to Los Angeles for one game against the San Antonio Spurs – in an NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup – before heading back on the road for another three-game road trip.
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Given that the team is on the road, the Lakers may opt to wait for their return to Los Angeles for Dončić to rejoin them.
Dončić, 26, has had a tremendous start to the season, leading the NBA in scoring at 35.3 points per game. He has also added 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game as the Lakers are sitting at 15-5, which is second in the Western Conference.
Dončić played in Los Angeles’ most recent game, Monday, Dec. 1 against the Phoenix Suns, and recorded 38 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in the 125-108 loss.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers without Luka Doncic as road trip vs Raptors, Celtics begins