No restrictions on Luka Doncic as Lakers return to action

Field Level Media|published: Wed 19th February, 16:07 2025

Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on from the court against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said there won't be any minutes restriction placed on newly acquired superstar Luka Doncic as Los Angeles returns to action one day early.

Doncic missed 6 1/2 weeks with a left calf strain -- nearly all of that with the Dallas Mavericks -- and played just 47 total minutes in his first two games in a Lakers uniform. Redick said that's set to change.

"He'll be fine," Redick told reporters Tuesday. "That extra five, six days of All-Star break was good for him. His minutes will be up tomorrow. And I don't think that there's going to be any sort of restrictions going forward."

The Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, the only game on tap in the return from the All-Star break, in a rescheduled game from January when wildfires in Los Angeles forced a postponement.

The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavericks on Feb. 2 in a deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas.

Doncic sustained the calf injury during a 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day. He missed eight games prior to that with various injuries.

Doncic, 25, is averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 24 starts this season.

--Field Level Media

Latest