Luka Dončić Injury Timeline Revealed: Lakers Star Set to Miss Time
The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a major setback on Sunday as superstar Luka Dončić was diagnosed with a sprained left finger and lower leg contusion that will keep him sidelined for at least a week, according to
“Dončić will be reevaluated in approximately one week,” McMenamin reported.
Injury Timeline Could Stretch Beyond One Week
While the Lakers initially called it a short-term injury, medical experts believe Dončić could miss more than just a few games.
Dr. Evan Jeffries, an NBA and NFL injury specialist and owner of Evolving Motion Physical Therapy in San Diego, said on X (formerly Twitter) that Dončić will likely require additional recovery and ramp-up time before returning to action.
“This likely means Luka won’t be back exactly in a week — he’ll need a ramp-up period,” Jeffries wrote. “Based on the Lakers’ schedule, he could miss approximately 5–10 games.”
The Lakers’ next 10-day stretch includes games against the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. Losing Dončić for an extended stretch could derail the team’s early-season rhythm.
A Crushing Blow After Historic Start
The timing of Dončić’s injury is particularly painful. The Slovenian superstar was coming off a 49-point performance in the Lakers’ 128–110 victory over the Timberwolves, avenging last season’s first-round playoff exit.
Through two games, Dončić was averaging 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, the highest two-game scoring total to start a season in Lakers franchise history.
He opened the year with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in a narrow 119–109 loss to the Golden State Warriors, followed by his near-50-point masterpiece against Minnesota.
Beyond the scoring outburst, Dončić had also impressed Lakers staff with his improved conditioning and defensive intensity — two areas that drew heavy criticism during last year’s playoffs.
“Last year was really tough for me,” Dončić said after Friday’s win. “I just want to forget about last season. We’re gonna meet them a few more times this year — it’s going to be a war every time we play them.”
Lakers’ Depth Tested Without Dončić and LeBron
Dončić’s injury compounds a growing list of Lakers’ health issues. LeBron James remains sidelined with sciatic nerve irritation, while Maxi Kleber (abdominal strain) and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee) remain out. Backup center Jaxson Hayes will miss his second straight game with knee soreness.
That leaves Austin Reaves as the team’s primary offensive option. The 27-year-old guard has thrived in that role before — most notably last season, when he dropped a career-high 45 points in a 124–117 win over the Indiana Pacers with both James and Dončić out.
Reaves became the youngest Laker since Kobe Bryant (2006) to record a 40-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist performance and joined an exclusive club that includes Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Bryant, and James.
Ayton and Smart Must Step Up
New Lakers additions Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart will also need to shoulder more responsibility.
Ayton is averaging 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 66.7% from the field through two games. Smart has provided defensive stability with 1.5 steals per game, but only 6.0 points on offense.
Both veterans will be key in keeping the Lakers afloat during Dončić’s absence.
Lakers Brace for Life Without Luka
Dončić’s recovery timeline will depend on how quickly the swelling subsides in his finger and lower leg. Even if he returns after the one-week reevaluation window, he will likely face minutes restrictions and conditioning tests before resuming full game action.
For a Lakers team already battling injuries to multiple starters, every missed game could carry heavy weight in the Western Conference standings.
Until Dončić returns, the Lakers’ championship hopes will rest on the shoulders of Reaves, Ayton, and Smart — and a fanbase holding its breath for the return of its new franchise cornerstone.
Warriors Urged to Trade for All-Defensive Guard to Help Steph Curry
If the Golden State Warriors are serious about making one final championship push in the twilight of Stephen Curry’s career, they may need to fix the one weakness that continues to hold them back.
Head coach Steve Kerr has rotated Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield alongside Curry in the backcourt to open the season. But according to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, there’s one ideal trade target who could immediately elevate Golden State’s two-way potential: Derrick White of the Boston Celtics.
“At 31, Derrick White isn’t exactly young anymore but would look like a spring chicken alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Al Horford on these Golden State Warriors,” Swartz wrote.
Derrick White Seen as Ideal Defensive Partner for Curry
Swartz argued that White’s two-way ability is the perfect complement for the 38-year-old Curry, whose defensive intensity naturally can’t match his prime years.
“White would also be the perfect backcourt partner for a 38-year-old Curry who probably isn’t going to be giving All-Defensive efforts on a nightly basis at this stage of his career,” Swartz added.
A two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, White remains one of the league’s most versatile guards — capable of defending multiple positions and protecting the rim at an elite level. Swartz called him “perhaps the best shot-blocking guard we’ve seen since Dwyane Wade.”
In addition to defense, White brings efficient playmaking, three-point shooting, and championship experience — all invaluable traits for a Warriors team looking to squeeze out another deep playoff run from its veteran core.
White’s Role in Boston Could Be in Flux Amid Slow Start
White has started the new season averaging 20.0 points per game, but his efficiency has dipped as he’s shouldered a heavier offensive load following injuries to Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and the offseason departures of Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.
He’s shooting just 31.6% from the field and 29.2% from three, a sharp contrast to the 44.2% overall and 38.4% three-point mark he posted during Boston’s 2024 championship run.
The numbers suggest that White thrives best as a complementary player, not as a primary offensive hub — a role he could seamlessly resume in Golden State next to Curry, Butler and Green and his familiarity with Horford.
Celtics Have Set a High Bar for Trade Offers
Getty Boston Celtics’ Derrick White and Jaylen Brown are untouchables.
Despite trade speculation, Boston has no immediate plans to move White.
According to
In July, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints
Celtics executive Mike Zarren directly addressed rumors involving White and Jaylen Brown, emphasizing both are core pieces of Boston’s roster.
“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players,” Zarren told reporters after the draft. “There hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them.”
Why the Warriors Should Still Be Watching
If the Celtics continue to struggle, that could change — and the Warriors are one of the few teams equipped to pounce.
Golden State owns up to four tradable first-round picks and several matching contracts, including Jonathan Kuminga’s.
Kuminga, who re-signed on a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option, has been excellent early — averaging 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 55.2% shooting and 50% from deep.
Still, if the Warriors see White as the missing piece to reignite their championship window, the front office may face a difficult decision: keep building around Kuminga’s growth — or trade for the two-way guard who could maximize Curry’s remaining prime.
