Is Luka Doncic playing tonight? When star may make Lakers debut
In a surprising move, the Dallas Mavericks traded their star player, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers. This three-team trade, which also involved the Utah Jazz, sees the Mavericks acquiring Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. Now, fans are eager to learn when Dončić will make his debut in a Lakers uniform.
The Dončić-Davis trade stunned both players and fans, including Dončić himself. The announcement came as a complete surprise, as the details had been kept a secret until the official revelation. The Mavericks' decision to trade Dončić was said to be driven by their frustration with his habits both on and off the court, especially regarding his conditioning, health, and treatment of officials.
Regardless of the surprise, LeBron James has expressed his eagerness to share the court with his "favorite player in the NBA for awhile."
“I’ve always just tried to play the game the right way and inspire the next generation, and Luka happens to be one of them, and now we’re teammates. So it’ll be a very seamless transition,” James said after a win against the Clippers.
As Dončić officially settles in Los Angeles, the anticipation for his debut continues to grow. However, it is unlikely that he will play against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night due to a strained left calf, an injury he sustained in late December.
When is Luka Dončić's Los Angeles Lakers debut?
Coach JJ Redick indicated that Dončić is likely to make his Lakers’ debut early next week when speaking to reporters during his pregame press conference Thursday.
“There’s no commitment made on anything but probably trending more toward Monday,” Redick said. “There are no setbacks. He looked good yesterday. He got another workout and a lift today. All is well.”
The coach said they hope to hear official word in the next few days that Dončić has been cleared to compete.
“We all want to see him in a Lakers uniform,” Redick said.
Dončić has not played since suffering a calf strain during a game on Christmas Day.
How to watch the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- TV: TNT, TruTV
- Stream: Max
- Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
USA Today reporter James H. Williams contributed to this report
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