Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is on track to rejoin the lineup as soon as the club resumes play following the All-Star break, head coach JJ Redick said Wednesday.
Doncic has missed the Lakers’ last four games with a mild strain to his left hamstring. The 26-year-old was held out of Tuesday’s contest against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, even though team medical staff believed he was nearing clearance. “He’s progressed really good,” Redick told reporters before tip-off. “Part of him wanted to push to get back prior to the break, but we’ve got to be cautious with soft-tissue injuries.”
The Lakers do not play again until next Friday, Feb. 21, when they face the L.A. Clippers. Redick said the organization is “comfortable” that the extra eight days of rest will have Doncic “good to go” for that matchup.
All-Star Game status undecided
Despite sitting out recent games, Doncic was voted an All-Star starter and led all players in fan balloting. League sources indicated he hopes to appear in Sunday’s exhibition in San Francisco, where he would suit up for the World Team alongside Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Jamal Murray and Pascal Siakam. Redick called that decision “above my pay grade,” leaving the matter to team executives and league officials.
Doncic was seen working out on the court before the Mavericks game, moving without visible discomfort. If the guard participates in the All-Star Game, team officials expect his minutes to be limited. Skipping the exhibition would give him a full eight-day layoff before the season’s second half.
The Lakers enter the break firmly in the Western Conference playoff chase and view Doncic’s pending return as critical for positioning down the stretch.
Source: LakersNation.com
