By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 14:10 EDT, 16 August 2025 | Updated: 14:21 EDT, 16 August 2025
Los Angeles Lakers have been left fearing the worst after Luka Doncic suffered a worrying injury scare during a EuroBasket warm-up game on Saturday afternoon.
The 26-year-old Lakers star limped off during Slovenia's game against Latvia after falling in the paint and appearing to injure his knee.
He did not return from the locker room and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, leaving Lakers fans with a nervous wait ahead.
Before the incident, Doncic scored 26 points in just 17 minutes, along with five assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Doncic looked leaner and sharper than he has in months, showing no signs of rust after a busy summer.
The injury scare comes after a whirlwind few months for Doncic. In one of the most surprising moves of the NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers at the deadline, ending a six-year spell in Texas.
Luka Doncic’s teammate fell into him and the Lakers star appeared to injure his knee.
Doncic asked out of the game and went back to the Slovenia locker room. pic.twitter.com/RLSDjpeQkS
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 16, 2025
The decision stunned fans and analysts alike - but reports emerged that Mavericks officials had grown concerned over Dončić's conditioning and long-term fitness.
According to several outlets at the time, the Mavs were frustrated with Doncic's inability to stay in peak shape and questioned his commitment to year-round preparation.
Those reports were never publicly confirmed, but the message appeared to land and since the trade, Doncic has looked transformed.
The Slovenian star has spent the summer getting back into top condition. Photos from training camp showed a noticeably slimmer physique, and Doncic himself said he was focused on health, recovery and 'getting back to basics.'
That new approach was on full display in Saturday's first half prior to his injury.
More to follow...