Positive Injury Update for Luka Dončić

“I would assume the question will be forthcoming—when is Luka going to play? I’d rather just take that one head-on,” Pelinka said. “We have five-on-five scheduled tomorrow for Luka, and we’re going to take it one day at a time just to make sure that the calf injury is in a good and safe place.”

Adding to the optimism, Dončić’s father, Sasa Dončić, provided an even more promising update while speaking to Arena Sport in Slovenia.

“Luka’s injury is basically gone,” Sasa said. “He’s already training, everything is going as planned, and everything is fine.”

If all goes well in workouts, Dončić is expected to make his Lakers debut on February 8 against the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena.

Dončić’s extended absence raised some concerns, but it turns out this was a calculated decision on his part. In previous seasons, Dončić admitted to rushing back from injuries, eager to get back on the court before fully recovering.

“For the first time, I took my time. I got it to heal 100%,” Dončić explained. “Other times, I just wanted to go back on the court, playing basketball, and I wasn’t really healthy. This time, I just took my time, which was a normal amount of time to get back to 100%.”

That maturity will be crucial for the Lakers, who need Dončić fully healthy for a deep playoff run.

The Lakers’ shocking trade for Dončić changed their future overnight. By landing the 25-year-old superstar, they paired one of the most dynamic scorers in the league with LeBron James. However, losing Anthony Davis in the trade left a glaring hole on defense.

Dončić’s impact on offense is undeniable—his elite scoring, playmaking, and basketball IQ will immediately elevate the Lakers’ attack. But defense remains a major concern, especially with no true rim protector on the roster after Davis’ departure.

With Dončić’s return around the corner, the Lakers will need to figure out their defensive identity quickly. Head coach JJ Redick now faces the challenge of integrating Dončić into the system while ensuring the team stays competitive in a loaded Western Conference.

At 29-19, the Lakers are positioned for a playoff run, but if they want to win now, they still have work to do before the trade deadline. Dončić’s return is just the first step.