Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

'Just Felt it a Little Bit' – Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic Confirms New Injury After Opening Loss Vs. Golden State Warriors

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 7:12 AM ET

Many Los Angeles Lakers fans were concerned when Luka Doncic kept holding his groin in the closing moments of the team’s 119-109 home loss against the Golden State Warriors.

During the postgame press conference, Doncic confirmed that he hurt his groin. But the Slovenian international assured the Los Angeles Lakers faithful that his lower-body knock is not that serious.

“It’s probably nothing,” Doncic told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Just felt it a little bit because my hip went (the opposite) way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”

Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Doncic did all he could to help the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without LeBron James. The five-time NBA All-Star poured in a game-high 43 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals on 17-for-27 shooting from the field in 41 minutes of action.

Los Angeles Lakers News: JJ Redick bemoans worrying trend that costs them games

The Los Angeles Lakers essentially lost last night’s game during the third period, when the Golden State Warriors opened the second half with a 19-4 run. The team also coughed the ball up 20 times, leading to 22 points for Golden State.

Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) with head coach JJ Redick against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“The trend I see is that we continue to be a terrible third-quarter team,” Redick lamented. “That was last year. That was the preseason. Gotta rethink some things, and it’s, you know, a two-way thing with the guys. What do they need at halftime to make sure they’re ready to play? They’re not ready to play to start the third quarter.”

The Purple and Gold will have two days to recharge their batteries before they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.