Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard Luka Dončić exited Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a left leg injury and did not return, sparking concern among fans and analysts about his availability in the upcoming stretch of the NBA season.
What Happened During the Game
Dončić, the NBA’s scoring leader this season, began the Lakers’ matchup at Crypto.com Arena and logged 16 minutes before the injury occurred.
With just over three minutes left in the first half, he appeared to feel discomfort in his left hamstring, grabbed the back of his leg, and limped off the court.
He did not play in the second half, and the Lakers later confirmed he was done for the night due to left leg soreness.
His stat line before exiting included 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists, but also five turnovers, with the injury manifesting on the play where he lost control of the ball.
Immediate Response and Evaluation
Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated that Dončić will undergo an MRI exam on Friday to determine the extent of the hamstring issue, with the team hoping the imaging will clarify the severity of the injury.
Redick emphasized that neither Dončić nor the medical staff felt it was wise for him to return to the game after the discomfort was first felt.
The Lakers’ official injury designation for Thursday was left leg soreness, and updates from the medical evaluation will be closely watched in the coming days.
Team Performance After Departure
Despite losing their star guard early, the Lakers rallied to secure a 119-115 comeback victory over the visiting 76ers.
Second-year guard Austin Reaves exploded for 35 points off the bench, leading the effort in Dončić’s absence.
LeBron James added solid playmaking, and role players like Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia contributed double-figure scoring to lift the Lakers.
Context and Broader Implications
The timing of this injury comes as the Lakers were looking to build momentum. Dončić is having a standout season in Los Angeles, leading the NBA in scoring and ranking high in assists — a remarkable output in his first full campaign with the Lakers.
However, he has already missed games this season due to other leg-related issues, and any recurrence will raise concerns about durability during the crucial phases of the schedule.
With the All-Star break approaching, there’s cautious optimism that Dončić could use the hiatus to rest and recover if more time off becomes necessary.
What’s Next
The Lakers will await the results of Dončić’s MRI and release updates regarding his projected return timeline.
For now, the team celebrates a hard-fought win but understands the stakes of potentially losing one of the league’s brightest stars at a pivotal juncture.
