Just when it seemed the Lakers were turning a corner with their health status, they faced another significant setback on Thursday night.
During the latter part of the first half in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, star player Luka Dončić was seen limping off the court, which raised immediate concerns among fans and teammates alike. For a brief moment, he appeared to be clutching the back of his left leg, suggesting discomfort. After struggling to stay on his feet for a few plays, he ultimately headed to the locker room as the team called for a timeout.
As the second half commenced, it became evident that Luka would not be returning to play; instead, Rui Hachimura took his place in the starting lineup. It wasn’t long before an announcement confirmed that Luka was officially ruled out midway through the third quarter due to soreness in his left leg. Initially, he seemed to indicate pain in the hamstring area, though the specifics of his injury remain uncertain at this time.
Post-game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided a rather vague update, confirming only that Luka was indeed experiencing issues related to his hamstring. "He felt some soreness in his hamstring," Redick stated. "He didn’t believe he was in good enough shape to return, and our medical team agreed. We decided to keep him out for now. He will undergo imaging to assess the situation further, but it’s too early to determine the severity of the injury."
Injuries are never convenient, but this particular one is especially frustrating for the Lakers, who just welcomed Austin Reaves back from his own month-long recovery from a calf strain. While it’s encouraging that Austin can step up once his minutes restriction is lifted, it also means that the Lakers’ much-anticipated Big 3 lineup continues to struggle with health issues. To put things into perspective, since Thursday’s game, the trio has played together in only ten games, including the Christmas Day matchup where Austin had to leave due to injury and Luka exited at halftime against the Sixers.
At this point, there’s no clear timeline for Luka's return. However, with the All-Star break approaching, there may be a silver lining. This break could provide him with an opportunity to recover fully, particularly since the festivities will take place in Los Angeles, eliminating the need for travel and allowing him to focus on his rehabilitation.
For more updates, feel free to follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
