Luka Dončić Progressing Toward Lakers Debut, Likely to Play Monday Against Jazz

Luka Dončić hopes to make his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday when they play the Utah Jazz at home.

Dončić, who has been out of action since Christmas Day with the Dallas Mavericks due to a left calf strain, participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage with the Lakers’ “stay ready” group on Wednesday. This group includes end-of-bench players and coaches. Lakers head coach J.J. Redick described the scrimmage as successful.

“It went well,” Redick said before the team’s game against the Golden State Warriors. “I think [his first game will be] probably, more likely, Monday. Again, no commitment made or anything, but probably trending more towards Monday.”

Initially, there were discussions about Dončić possibly making his Saturday debut against the Indiana Pacers, but according to ESPN, plans have shifted towards a Monday appearance. Before being traded by the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić planned to play on Feb. 8 against the Houston Rockets, but acclimating to a new team naturally can alter a return to competition.

Redick also confirmed that Dončić experienced “no setbacks” during Wednesday’s session and continued his preparation with workouts and weightlifting on Thursday.

“All is well, all is positive,” Redick stated. “And 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.”

Following the recent trade that sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to Dallas, the Lakers won their first game 122-97 over the LA Clippers on Tuesday, with Dončić observing from the bench dressed in a black Lakers warmup.

When asked about the criteria for Dončić’s return, Redick emphasized the importance of confidence from the player and the medical staff. Los Angeles is eager to integrate him into the lineup but understands the process cannot be rushed.

“We’re not going to rush anything here,” Redick said. “We’re all anticipating that—I know the fans are, and certainly our coaching staff and our players are. And I think the one thing that we all have in the back of our minds as we’ve shifted and had to recalibrate in the last week is, we’re not going to be able to snap our fingers, and it’s all going to work right away. There’s work to be done once he’s back and healthy and in the lineup, and that’s going to be fun to figure it all out together.”

Dončić has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 22 games this season. He’s been sidelined since suffering his calf injury on Christmas Day when the Mavericks were facing the Minnesota Timberwolves.