Luka Doncic
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Lakers' Luka Doncic during a game against the Sacramento Kings in December 2025
Injuries continue to ripple across the NBA, with high-profile scares involving Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama dominating headlines over the past week.
Now, concern is building in Los Angeles.
Luka Doncic has shouldered an enormous workload for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but a troubling injury update has raised questions about how sustainable that burden truly is as the calendar turns to January.
Lakers Star Playing Through “A Lot of Pain”
Doncic’s physical condition has quietly become a growing storyline behind the Lakers’ uneven recent form.
“Doncic is playing through ‘a lot of pain’ right now,” Ashish Mathur wrote, via Lakers Daily. “The former Dallas Mavericks star is dealing with a left elbow injury and ‘nagging’ pain in both legs, sources said.”
According to the report, the 26-year-old is experiencing “sharp” discomfort in his legs that has limited his explosiveness attacking the basket.
Despite undergoing “around-the-clock treatment,” Doncic is believed to be refusing to sit out, determined to remain available as the Lakers navigate an already thin rotation.
Los Angeles is currently without Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent, absences that have disrupted continuity and forced constant lineup adjustments.
The lack of stability has contributed to recurring issues with turnovers and defensive breakdowns, making it difficult for the team to establish consistent rhythm.
In that context, Doncic’s availability has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
Heavy Usage, Mounting Risk for Los Angeles
Through 24 games this season, Doncic is averaging a league-high 33.5 points to go along with 8.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. However, his efficiency from three-point range has dipped to 32.2% , the second-lowest three-point mark of his career.
“Most of his shots from beyond the arc have been short since he doesn’t have much power in his legs at the moment,” Mathur added, via Lakers Daily.
The Lakers have lost four of their last six games, drawing increased scrutiny despite still sitting fifth in the Western Conference at 21-11, just 2.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs in second place.
The margin remains small, however, with Los Angeles only two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns in seventh and firmly aware of how quickly play-in territory can loom.
Defensively, the warning signs are already flashing. The Lakers rank 24th in defensive rating this season at 117.7 and have slipped to second-worst in the league over the past 15 games at 122.0, ahead of only the Utah Jazz.
That slide stands in stark contrast to a top-10 offense driven largely by Doncic’s production.
January offers little relief. The Lakers have 15 games remaining this month, including three back-to-backs, and will have just one two-day break. While Doncic’s toughness continues to draw admiration, the long-term implications may be difficult to ignore.
Persistent elbow and leg issues, combined with one of the NBA’s highest usage rates, place the Lakers in a precarious position where short-term survival may come at a long-term cost.