Luka Doncic could debut with Lakers on Saturday

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Luka Doncic could debut either Saturday against Indiana or Monday against Utah.

Doncic, who the Lakers acquired in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick, hasn’t played since Christmas because of a calf injury. After the Lakers’ Wednesday practice, Doncic participated in a 5-on-5 game with low-minute players and coaching associates.

“We’re kind of just assessing it day-by-day. We hope to have him back within the next few games,” Redick said after practice. “He was a participant. We just had non-contact practice today. But we got some good work in for about 45 minutes. And he’ll have a stay-ready game at some point. And over the next two days, Thursday, Friday, he’ll have some more opportunities to play live basketball. And then we’ll make a decision on Saturday. If it’s not Saturday, hopefully it’s Monday.”

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Feb. 4, 2025

Doncic said he took more time in this recovery for his calf injury in order to get things back to 100%.

After Wednesday’s practice, Doncic’s friend and former teammate Dorian Finney-Smith defended Doncic and his conditioning.

“I know him, man. He wants to play the whole game. Now I think he played like 40 minutes every game last playoffs,” Finney-Smith said. “So that’s one thing about L, he a hooper, he want to play. So I don’t really look at the noise, I look at his production and he produced. ... If I’m putting up them type of numbers, maybe I need to be 270.”