The Luka Dončić and LeBron James van Lakers are reportedly not back from the NBA All-Star Break well equipped and ready to go.
The struggles continue for Luka Dončić, and the questions too.
The former Mavericks star still fights against a persistent left calf. Dončić missed 27 of the 49 matches of Dallas before the move, and his time in purple and gold was just as limited. After he had his first three games as Laker outside, he debuted in a two-game series against the Utah Jazz on 10 and 12 February and only played 23 minutes in each game. Now, despite a full week of rest during the All-Star break, the Lakers have announced that Dončić will miss at least one match.
And with more missed competitions, more questions come for Dončić
Luca’s Lax All-Star Pause
For the first time in his career, Dončić was not selected as an All-Star, a reflection of his extensive absence. Instead of competing, he spent the break with relaxed, even a post one Polishage photo on social media While watching the game on a laptop. Although he must be well rested when the Lakers return to action, the team remains careful. He is expected to miss Wednesday’s home game against Charlotte or Thursday’s Matchup in Portland.
Luka Doncic enjoys his all-star break 😎
(Via Lukadoncic/IG) pic.twitter.com/ZSN3XOKNKV
– Lakers Lead (@Lakerslead) February 16, 2025
“The Lakers have held Dončić less than 25 minutes in his first two games in purple and gold and are expected to continue with a measured approach as the 25-year-old progresses in his comeback after his last 19 games like a Maverick with left Kalfsstam recorded on Christmas Day, ‘wrote NBA -Sinsider Marc Stein in his Monday newsletter.
Whether the Lakers will finally see Dončić at full power next to LeBron James remains uncertain. And now a different concern is looming. James, who withdrew from Sunday’s All-Star match at the last minute because of “single and foot complaints”, is reportedly to do with an issue that “not exactly small” is, according to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico. The possibility that both stars are missing time, would be a devastating blow to a Lakers team that fights for play -off positioning.
Dončić’s conditioning increases red flags
If injuries were not enough, a new report from Athletics suggests that the Lakers may have inherited more than just an injured superstar – they may have hired a problem that Dallas had become tired of dealing.
Allegedly the Mavericks became frustrated by the conditioning of Dončić and Off-Court habits and doubted his long-term sustainability. An example that was cited in the report included a supposed ‘correct wrist disease’ in November that kept him outside for five consecutive competitions. According to sources, that classification was misleading – the absence of Dončić was actually meant to improve his conditioning. However, there are a lot in the NBA world, such as Reggie Miller, who believe that these concerns are blown out of proportion.
The worries ran so deep that Dallas, despite his enormous talent, feared that his body would break down earlier than expected. Instead of continuing to manage his inconsistencies, they made the difficult decision to go further from a player who still believes that one day an MVP could win.
Now those worries belong to the Lakers. However, there are a lot in the NBA world, such as Reggie Miller, who believe that these concerns are blown out of proportion.
“You will not become a first team All-NBA player five times by not being in shape”
With conditioning rumors floating around Luka Dončić, @Reggiemillertntt Chimes in 👀 pic.twitter.com/rsqomfgn0n
– NBA TV (@nbatv) February 6, 2025
With Dončić still sidelined and James’ health a growing question mark, Los Angeles faces an uncertain road. The vision of a dominant duo that leads the Lakers deep in the late season remains exactly that – a vision. Until Dončić comes to the field and there, the Lakers will stay behind, hope and wonder what they really acquired.
