Luka Doncic. Image via: Getty Images The Los Angeles Lakers are set to clash with the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, which will tip off at 10:00 pm ET. The team has efficient players, including the holy trinity, that is, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. James will be there to face the Trail Blazers tonight, along with other players, including his son, Bronny James. The Lakers have previously won 135-117 against the Charlotte Hornets. However, the real question lingering in fans’ minds is Doncic’s presence in tonight’s matchup. Earlier, the former Mavericks star had to miss a few games due to a family emergency. Will tonight’s game mark the absence of the Lakers’ star? Here is everything you need to know about Doncic’s playing status in the matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Will Luka Doncic play tonight against Portland Trail Blazers?
Luka Doncic has been sidelined for tonight’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to his groin soreness. He won’t be able to contribute, which might hamper the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. This would be the very first game that Doncic will be missing due to an injury. Previously, he missed games due to a family emergency when his wife was pregnant with their second child. Luka Doncic has scored exceptionally well in the remaining matches of the 2025-2026 season. He delivered 33.6 points, thereby adding 8.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, making him one of the top scorers of the Lakers. Without Austin Reaves and Doncic, the team is heavily reliant on LeBron James for Saturday’s clash against the Trail Blazers.
What could Luka Doncic’s absence mean for Los Angeles Lakers?
Now that the Los Angeles Lakers do not have a hold on Doncic, their fate tonight is completely uncertain. The team is now solely dependent on LeBron James and might have to reformulate their strategies on behalf of Doncic. While heading to a clash with the Trail Blazers, the Lakers have won just 5 matches out of the last 10, thereby slipping into the 6th position in the Western Conference. The Portland Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have won 7 matches out of the last 10. Therefore, they sit in the 9th position in the Western Conference. Tonight’s clash will be the third meeting when the Lakers will be facing the Trail Blazers, but this time without Luka Doncic.