NBA
Luka Doncic Provides Update on Groin Injury After Lakers Loss
James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.
All posts by James FoglioUpdated6 hours ago on October 22, 2025
While Luka Doncic scored 43 points in a game-high 41 minutes in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-109 season-opener loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, the more important headline concerns the five-time All-Star spending time in the training room after the game to receive treatment on the inside of his right leg.
“It’s probably nothing,” Doncic told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin during his postgame news conference. “Just felt it a little bit because my hip went [the opposite] way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”
Luka Doncic Playing First Full Season With Lakers
The 26-year-old Doncic sat out the first three preseason games for rest purposes after participating in EuroBasket for the Slovenian national team over the summer.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said he would make his preseason debut against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 14 and would play in one of the final two preseason games.
Doncic, who spent the offseason trimming down his physique through a strict exercise and dietary regimen, also recorded 12 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and one block against the Warriors.
He finished 17-of-27 (63%) shooting from the field but only 2-for-10 (20%) from 3-point range.
https://t.co/MnXdkKncN9 pic.twitter.com/FYx69bntIy
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 22, 2025
In February, the Lakers acquired Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history. He played in 28 games (all starts) for the Purple and Gold last season.
The former first-rounder averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. The Lakers, however, fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games of their first-round playoff series.
Doncic Signed Multi-Year Contract Extension During Offseason
During the offseason, Doncic agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension, with a player option in 2028. The new deal keeps him out of free agency next summer, eliminating his 2026-27 player option.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the five-time All-NBA member could opt out of his three-year contract in 2028 and sign a new deal for 35% of the salary cap, which projects to five years and $417 million.
In doing so, Doncic would recoup all the money lost when he was traded by the Mavs, with whom he had been eligible to sign a five-year, $315 million supermax extension this past summer.
With LeBron James out due to sciatica, L.A. is forced to rely on Doncic to stay healthy.
The Lakers will have two days of practice — providing much-needed recovery time for Doncic — before their next game at home against the Timberwolves on Friday.
