Lakers Announce Luka Doncic News After Three Missed Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 30, 2025 6:26 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing shorthanded in the backcourt, as Luka Doncic has missed the past three games dealing with a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion. The 26-year-old Slovenian guard had been off to a strong start in his first full season with the Lakers after spending his first seven campaigns with the Dallas Mavericks.

Doncic had logged back-to-back dominant offensive performances to open the year, averaging 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 62.0% from the field and 31.8% from 3-point range. Doncic committed to Los Angeles in the offseason, signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension that confirmed his loyalty to the purple and gold.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

As the Lakers have continued to battle without Doncic, shooting guard Austin Reaves has stepped up to carry the scoring load. On Wednesday, coach JJ Redick shared that Doncic was trending in the right direction, saying the team hoped to have him back within the “next couple of games” ( h/t Dave McMenamin of ESPN).

Fortunately, Redick’s optimism was validated just one day later. On Thursday, the Lakers announced their official injury report to the NBA, and for the first time since Doncic’s injuries were assessed, he was upgraded to questionable for Friday’s road game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Dan Woike of The Athletic confirmed the status change on X. “Luka Doncic has been upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game in Memphis,” he reported.

Luka Dončić has been upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game in Memphis pic.twitter.com/uTUcHPjUdL
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) October 30, 2025

This is a positive development for Los Angeles, which has won two out of three games in Doncic’s absence thanks to Reaves and his offensive outbursts. Still, Doncic remains one of the league’s top players and the focal point of the Lakers’ offense. His resume includes the 2018–19 Rookie of the Year award, five All-Star selections, five All-NBA honors and the 2023–24 scoring title.

The Lakers are expected to stay competitive in the Western Conference with a retooled roster designed to help cover Doncic’s defensive limitations, but his health will be key to that plan. Doncic remains listed as questionable, and if he misses Friday’s game, his next chance to return would be Sunday at home against the Miami Heat.

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

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