Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Dončić Expected To Face Houston Rockets On Christmas
According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić is expected to face the Houston Rockets on Christmas.
Dončić didn’t play against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday (12/23) because of the lower left leg contusion he suffered on December 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Luka Dončić is expected to play on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets,” Charania said. “I’m told he’s undergoing a workout today. As long as that goes smooth for him, he will return to the lineup and debut his new signature shoe on Thursday.”
A five-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, Dončić has played in 21 games this season for the Lakers. He’s averaging 34.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field, 32.0% from beyond the arc and 80.7% from the free-throw line.
Dončić, 26, leads the NBA in points per game. He’s looking to win his second scoring title. The former Dallas Mavericks star went off against the Utah Jazz on December 18, putting up 45 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists.
“He’s just so damn good,” Lakers forward LeBron James said about Dončić. “It’s ridiculous.”
The Lakers are 19-9 on the season. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Dončić and Co. lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games despite being the third seed and having home-court advantage.
Los Angeles has the second-most (17) championships in NBA history. However, the franchise hasn’t won a title since 2020.
The Lakers won the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble behind James and Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles isn’t a legitimate championship contender right now despite having Dončić, James and Austin Reaves. The Purple and Gold are 19th in the NBA in points per game allowed and 25th in defensive rating.
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