Lakers Face More Bad News Regarding Luka Doncic Ahead of Final Game Before All-Star Break
The surprising trade that moved five-time All-Star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, while sending nine-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, continues to create waves for both teams and the NBA. On Monday, Davis, who had played just one game for his new team, was sidelined with an adductor strain — formerly known as a “groin pull” — and is expected to miss “multiple weeks.”
On the other side of the trade, Doncic, aged 25, had played only 22 out of the Mavericks’ 49 games before the trade, with no games since Christmas Day. He also missed his first three games as a Laker due to a left calf strain, but made his debut on Monday in a home game against the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers dominated the Jazz in a 132-113 victory. Doncic contributed modestly with 14 points, five assists, and six rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
However, ahead of the away game in Utah on Wednesday — the Lakers’ final match before the NBA’s All-Star break — more bad news surfaced about their new star acquisition. On the NBA’s injury report for February 12, Doncic was once again listed as “questionable” for Wednesday’s game, scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (9 p.m. Eastern) at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
The injury report suggests Doncic may sit out, which could impact the Lakers’ chances as they are favored by 9.5 points over the 12-40 Jazz.
Doncic, who was not selected for this year’s All-Star roster, ended a streak of five consecutive All-Star appearances. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 as the No. 3 overall pick but was immediately traded to the Mavericks for the No. 5 overall pick, Trae Young, and a future first-round pick.
His absence from All-Star Weekend means if Doncic sits out again on Wednesday, he will have eight days to rest his calf strain before the Lakers play the Charlotte Hornets at home on February 19. By then, Los Angeles hopes Doncic will be healthy enough to team up with LeBron James and form a formidable duo that could lead the Lakers to their 18th NBA championship.
Doncic earned 1.6 million All-Star votes, the third most among guards. However, in the NBA’s selection process, fan votes account for only half of the final decision, with players, coaches, and a media panel determining the other half.
Mavs Owner Implies Doncic Lacks ‘Focus’
The question remains: How soon will Doncic recover from his injury? His physical condition and discipline have previously been criticized, and after the trade, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont seemed to suggest that Doncic lacked the “right character” to help the Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals last season but lost in five games to the Boston Celtics. Doncic struggled with injuries during that Finals series.
“In my mind, the way teams win is through focus, the right character, the right culture, and a strong work ethic to achieve a championship,” Dumont said, according to CBS Sports. “Without that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”