JJ Redick Breaks Luka Doncic Decision to Everyone

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 9:06 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed Saturday that Luka Doncic’s availability for Sunday’s preseason meeting with the Golden State Warriors remained "to be determined," adding that Doncic will likely be limited to two preseason appearances this year as the Lakers manage a heavy offseason workload.

Redick’s comments come after Doncic was a full participant in drills on Saturday but had been logging modified practice sessions the entire week prior.

However, Doncic downplayed his lack of participation, saying it was primarily due to his deep minutes and star role for Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025.

"Just because I had national team (duties). I played one month and something of basketball. So, obviously, it’s a long season again. So it’s because of that," Doncic told reporters on Saturday.

Luka Doncic is TBD for tomorrow’s game vs. GSW, per JJ Redick. Redick said Doncic will play in two preseason games. Doncic was a full participant in today’s practice.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 11, 2025

Doncic's summer was anything but light. He led EuroBasket 2025 in scoring, averaging 34.7 points across seven games, finished second in assists (7.1 APG) and averaged the third most minutes of any player in the competition (33.3 MPG).

That workload — coming on the heels of a demanding 2024–25 NBA season in which he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals in 35.1 minutes across 28 games with the Lakers — explains why the organization is playing things safe.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Since Doncic practiced fully on Saturday, he could play in at least one of the scheduled exhibitions, but Redick and the Lakers are keeping a leash on his minutes and appearances.

The team already announced Doncic would skip the opening preseason games; Redick’s latest phrasing makes it clear the plan remains to balance preparation with rest, preparing for, as Doncic put it, "a long season" ahead.

With LeBron James already sidelined for several weeks with a sciatica issue, it's become even more paramount for Doncic to stay healthy and be all systems go for the Lakers' regular-season opener against the Warriors on Oct. 21.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: