Is Luka Doncic playing today? When Lakers star could debut with new team after trade
Once the shock surrounding Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers wore off, the buildup began.
There was an introductory news conference, a new jersey unveiling and the first practice with Dončić's new teammates. Then came a welcome ovation from Lakers fans as he watched his first game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The stunning trade that moved Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a package revolving around Anthony Davis may have enraged Mavericks fans. But it left the rest of the NBA invested in the outcome of a blockbuster deal.
The real fun starts once Dončić makes his Lakers debut alongside LeBron James. Dončić hasn't appeared in an NBA game since suffering a calf injury in the Mavericks' Christmas day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he's reportedly on the cusp of a return to the court. His latest chance comes Saturday afternoon, when the Lakers host the Indiana Pacers.
In anticipation that it could be Dončić's first game playing since the trade, ESPN announced earlier this week it had picked up the national broadcast of the game. Here's the latest on whether Dončić will play when the Lakers face the Pacers Saturday and his expected return date, as well as an update on his injury status:
Is Luka Dončić playing today for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Dončić is not expected to play when the Lakers face the Pacers Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, despite initial indications from coach J.J. Redick that it could be his debut game. ESPN said Wednesday it replaced a previously scheduled Friday NBA broadcast featuring the Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns with Saturday's Lakers-Pacers game because of Dončić's anticipated Los Angeles debut.
When is Luka Dončić's Los Angeles Lakers debut?
Redick instead said Thursday ahead of the Lakers' 120-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, with Dončić watching from the bench and greeted by his new home crowd for the first time, that the team's new star was "trending more towards Monday." The Lakers host the Jazz that day.
Dončić participated in 5-on-5 play during Wednesday's practice and did not experience any setbacks, according to Redick.
"Hopefully we get the word at some point in the next few days that he is going to play. We all want to see him in a Laker uniform," Redick told reporters. "We want him to feel confident. We want our medical staff to feel confident. We don’t want to rush anything here."
How to watch the Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: ESPN+, Fubo
- Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
Watch live NBA games with Fubo
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