More Bad News for Lakers on Luka Doncic Ahead of Last Game Before All-Star Break

Lakers Face More Concerns with Luka Doncic Ahead of Final Game Before All-Star Break The unexpected trade that sent five-time All-Star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, while nine-time All-Star Anthony Davis moved to the Dallas Mavericks, continues to have significant implications for both teams and the entire NBA. On Monday, after just one game with his new team, Davis was sidelined due to an adductor strain (formerly known as a “groin pull”) and is expected to miss “multiple weeks.”

On the other hand, Doncic, 25, had only appeared in 22 of the Mavericks’ 49 games before the trade, with none since Christmas Day. He also missed his first three games as a Laker due to a left calf strain. However, he made his Lakers debut on Monday in a home game against the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers won that game decisively, 132-113. Doncic contributed modestly, playing 24 minutes, scoring 14 points, and adding five assists and six rebounds.

Further Health Concerns for Doncic

Heading into the second game of the two-game series with Utah on Wednesday—the Lakers’ final game before the NBA’s All-Star break—the team received more concerning news about their new star player. Doncic was once again listed as “questionable” in the NBA’s February 12 injury report ahead of the game, which is set for 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (9 p.m. Eastern) at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

This injury designation suggests that Doncic may sit out again, with the 32-19 Lakers being 9.5 point favorites over the 12-40 Jazz, despite playing on the road.

Doncic was not named to this year’s All-Star roster, ending a five-year streak of appearances. The Slovenian native, who was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 as the third overall pick, was traded to Dallas for Trae Young and a future first-round pick.

His absence from All-Star Weekend means that if he sits out Wednesday’s game, Doncic will have an eight-day break to recover further from his calf strain before the Lakers play again on February 19 against the Charlotte Hornets. By then, Los Angeles hopes Doncic will be ready to join LeBron James as a powerful duo to lead the team toward a potential 18th NBA title.

Doncic received 1.6 million All-Star votes, third-most among guards. However, fan voting accounts for only half of the final decision, with the remaining votes coming from players, coaches, and media representatives.

Mavericks Owner Questions Doncic’s Focus

The question remains: how quickly will Doncic recover from his lingering injury? His physical condition and commitment have been questioned before. After the trade, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont suggested that Doncic may not have the “right character” to help Dallas build for the future. The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals last season but were defeated by the Boston Celtics in five games, with Doncic battling injuries throughout.

“In my mind, the way teams win is through focus, character, culture, and dedication to working as hard as possible to create a championship-winning outcome,” Dumont said, according to CBS Sports. “Without that, it doesn’t work, and if you lack it, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”

Jonathan Vankin is an award-winning journalist who now covers baseball and other sports for Heavy.com. He has won New England Press Association awards for sports writing and is the author of several nonfiction

books and graphic novels.