Luka Doncic
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Lakers' Luka Doncic during a game against the Sacramento Kings in December 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers rallied for a 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, erasing a double-digit deficit to secure a win they desperately needed. Austin Reaves returned from a month-long absence with a calf strain, providing a boost the Lakers hoped would stabilize their inconsistent play since early December.
But the comeback came with a significant cost. The Lakers played the entire second half without their best player.
Luka Dončić limped to the locker room with just over three minutes remaining in the second quarter, grabbing at his left leg after a stepback move in the paint. He never returned to the court after halftime, and the Lakers ruled him out shortly after the break with what they initially termed left leg soreness.
Redick Confirms Hamstring Issue for Dončić
Luka Doncic
GettyLuka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers is having an MVP season.
After the victory, Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided clarity on what happened to Dončić, and the update wasn’t particularly encouraging.
Redick explained that Dončić experienced tightness in his hamstring during the second quarter. Neither the player nor the Lakers medical staff believed he could safely re-enter the game, so they held him out as a precaution. Imaging was conducted following the game, though Redick noted it was too early to determine whether the issue constitutes a significant injury or simply temporary soreness.
The distinction matters. Hamstring injuries exist on a spectrum from minor tightness that resolves in days to Grade 2 or Grade 3 strains that can sideline players for weeks. Dončić’s frustration was visible as he left the court. He appeared to slam his hand against a chair on the sideline, suggesting he knew the injury could be problematic.
Dončić finished with 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting before his exit. He missed all four of his 3-point attempts and committed five turnovers in just 16 minutes, an uncharacteristic performance for a player averaging 33.4 points per game this season. The NBA’s leading scorer also ranks second in assists at 8.7 per contest, making him nearly irreplaceable in the Lakers offense.
Jovan Buha
JJ Redick said Luka Doncic felt some soreness in his left hamstring. Both Doncic and the Lakers’ medical staff determined he wasn’t able to return. Doncic will be getting imaging soon and it’s too early to tell the severity of the injury, per Redick.
What Lakers Teammates Are Saying About Potential Absence
Lakers guard Marcus Smart addressed the uncertainty surrounding Dončić’s status after the game. The team hadn’t yet received complete information about the severity of the injury, but Smart expressed hope it wouldn’t result in an extended absence.
Smart acknowledged the challenge the Lakers would face if Dončić misses significant time. He noted that Reaves’ return provides some help, but replacing the NBA’s leading scorer would require contributions from everyone.
“It does help to have AR back if that’s the case, but it’s definitely going to take a full team effort now, more than ever, if he is out for a long period of time,” Smart said.
The concern is justified. Dončić has appeared in 42 of the Lakers’ 46 games this season, with his longest absence being a three-game stretch early in the year due to a finger sprain and leg contusion. He’s otherwise been durable throughout a dominant campaign that included Western Conference Player of the Month honors for January, when he averaged 34.0 points on 50.6% shooting.
Why This Matters for the Lakers’ Playoff Position
Lakers LeBron James reacts with Luka Doncic (77)
GettyLakers LeBron James reacts with Luka Doncic.
The timing of Dončić’s injury creates additional complications for a Lakers team trying to solidify its postseason seeding. Los Angeles entered Thursday’s game sitting sixth in the Western Conference, holding just a one-game cushion over the seventh-place Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers are approaching a favorable home stretch before the All-Star break, the kind of schedule that typically allows teams to bank wins and climb the standings. Playing without Dončić, even for a short period, makes that task significantly more difficult.
Dončić was named an All-Star starter for the sixth time in his career, selected for next weekend’s game at Intuit Dome in nearby Inglewood. Whether he’ll be healthy enough to participate remains unclear, though All-Star weekend would theoretically provide extra recovery time if the injury is minor.
Final Word
Hamstring injuries defy easy prediction. A player can feel tightness one day and be fine two days later, or that same tightness can develop into a strain that lingers for weeks. The Lakers won’t know which version they’re dealing with until imaging results and further evaluation provide more clarity.
What’s certain is that Los Angeles cannot afford an extended absence from Dončić, not with the Western Conference playoff race this compressed and not with the team still searching for consistency after a strong start to the season gave way to months of uneven play.
The Lakers managed to rally without Dončić against Philadelphia, but repeating that performance over multiple games would test the depth of a roster that has already struggled with injuries this season. Reaves’ return helps, but he’s coming off a month-long layoff himself.
The Lakers will likely provide another update on Dončić’s status in the coming days once medical staff has reviewed all imaging and testing.