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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during play against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Los Angeles Lakers offered some relief to anxious fans after The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported that there are no long-term concerns about Luka Dončić’s injuries, even as the superstar is expected to miss multiple games.
Dončić, who is dealing with a sprained left finger and lower leg contusion, was officially ruled out for at least one week, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. But Woike’s update shifted the tone from worry to optimism.
“Source tells me there’s no long-term concerns here,” Woike wrote. “Obviously, a relatively quick re-evaluation period signals the same.”
A Sigh of Relief in Los Angeles
Woike’s intel underscores that while the Lakers’ new franchise cornerstone will miss time, the organization does not view the setback as serious. The quick re-evaluation window suggests Dončić’s injuries are minor rather than structural.
His return, however, will depend on how his finger responds to treatment and whether the swelling in his leg subsides.
Dr. Evan Jeffries, an NBA and NFL injury expert based in San Diego, told fans on X that even with an optimistic diagnosis, Dončić will likely need a ramp-up period before returning to full action.
“This likely means Luka won’t be back exactly in a week — he’ll need a ramp-up period,” Jeffries wrote. “Based on the Lakers’ schedule, he could miss approximately 5–10 games.”
Dončić’s Injury Comes Amid Historic Start
The setback halts what had been one of the most explosive starts to a Lakers season in franchise history. Through two games, Dončić is averaging 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, including a 49-point masterpiece in the Lakers’ 128–110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
He also tallied 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in a narrow season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Dončić’s first two performances made him the first player in Lakers history to score over 90 points across the team’s first two games of a season.
Lakers’ Depth Faces Its First Test
Even with the encouraging medical outlook, the Lakers are entering a challenging stretch without Dončić — and still without LeBron James, who continues to deal with sciatic nerve irritation.
Los Angeles will rely heavily on Austin Reaves, who has shown the ability to rise to the occasion in the past. Last season, Reaves dropped a career-high 45 points in a win over the Indiana Pacers when both Dončić and James were unavailable.
Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart will also be expected to shoulder greater responsibility. Ayton is averaging 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds on 66.7% shooting, while Smart has contributed 6.0 points and 1.5 steals per game through two contests.
Dončić’s Conditioning and Heavy Workload in Spotlight
The Lakers’ next 10 days include tough matchups against the Kings, the vastly improved Portland Trail Blazers, a rematch with the Timberwolves, and the Memphis Grizzlies, but internally, there’s growing confidence that Dončić won’t be sidelined for long.
Even with the injury setback, Dončić’s conditioning is reportedly in tip-top shape following his well-documented offseason transformation. He shed significant weight through a strict diet and training regimen, which helped him improve his defensive mobility and endurance.
However, the wear and tear from his FIBA EuroBasket campaign with Slovenia may have caught up with him. Dončić carried his national team single-handedly to the quarterfinals, logging heavy minutes across several grueling contests just weeks before Lakers training camp began.
Cautious Optimism
The Lakers have been cautious with his workload early this season, mindful of his past injury history. Last year, while still with the Dallas Mavericks, an overweight Dončić missed nearly six weeks and 22 straight games due to a left calf strain — a setback that ultimately accelerated his trade to Los Angeles.
For now, the Lakers plan to rest their superstar through next week’s slate and reassess once swelling and pain subside. If Dončić’s improved fitness and recovery protocols hold, the Lakers could have their franchise centerpiece back sooner than expected — a critical boost for a team navigating early adversity.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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