Luka Doncic Ready to Lead Lakers After All-Star Break

19 Feb at 6:37 pm

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Luka Doncic Ready to Lead Lakers After All-Star Break \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Luka Doncic is expected to play without restrictions as the Los Angeles Lakers return from the All-Star break. Coach JJ Redick confirmed that Doncic, who was eased back into play after a calf injury, is fully cleared for action against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Meanwhile, LeBron James remains questionable with foot and ankle soreness. The Lakers begin a tough schedule, playing three games in four days across different cities.

Luka Doncic Returns at Full Strength for Lakers: Quick Look

Luka Doncic is cleared for full minutes after a careful reintegration before the All-Star break.
Doncic has played only two games since his return from a 6 1/2-week calf injury.
Coach JJ Redick says Doncic won’t have restrictions moving forward.
LeBron James is questionable against the Hornets due to foot and ankle soreness.
The Lakers and Hornets are playing an early return game, rescheduled due to Los Angeles wildfires.
The Lakers face a grueling schedule, with three games in four days across three cities.

Deep Look

After weeks of cautious reintegration, Luka Doncic is finally ready to take on a full workload as the Los Angeles Lakers return from the All-Star break. Coach JJ Redick confirmed Tuesday that Doncic will no longer be under minutes restrictions, giving the Lakers a much-needed boost as they head into the final stretch of the season.

Doncic, who suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day while playing for the Dallas Mavericks, had been out for six and a half weeks before making his Lakers debut just before the All-Star break. In his first two games with the team, he played a combined 47 minutes, as the Lakers slowly eased him back into competition.

With extra rest over All-Star weekend, Doncic is now fully cleared to take on his usual superstar role when the Lakers face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

Doncic’s Return to Full Strength

Since being acquired by the Lakers in a blockbuster February 2 trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, Doncic has played only two games in purple and gold. His limited minutes in those outings were part of a deliberate strategy to protect his recovery, but Redick now says Doncic is ready to go full speed.

“He’ll be fine,” Redick said after Tuesday’s practice.
“That extra five, six days of All-Star break was good for him. His minutes will be up (Wednesday), and I don’t think that there’s going to be any sort of restrictions going forward.”

The Slovenian superstar is expected to play a full workload against Charlotte, marking his first game at full capacity since the injury.

LeBron James’ Status Remains Uncertain

While the Lakers received good news on Doncic, LeBron James’ availability is still in question.

James, 40, has been dealing with lingering soreness in his left foot and ankle.
He missed the Lakers’ final game before the break and opted out of the All-Star Game, ending his 20-year streak of participation in the annual event.
The Lakers are taking a cautious approach, ensuring James is fully recovered before returning to the court.

James is officially listed as questionable for the Hornets game, and a final decision will likely be made on game day. If James sits out, Doncic will take on a larger offensive role, serving as the Lakers’ primary playmaker.

The Lakers’ Packed Schedule After the Break

Unlike most teams, the Lakers and Hornets are returning from the All-Star break early, as their matchup was rescheduled from January due to catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles.

The Lakers’ first game back is just the beginning of a grueling stretch, with the team playing three games in four days across three cities:

Wednesday (Feb. 21): vs. Charlotte Hornets (Home)
Thursday (Feb. 22): at Portland Trail Blazers (Away)
Saturday (Feb. 24): at Denver Nuggets (Away)

This packed schedule will test Doncic’s endurance, as he transitions from limited minutes to a full-time workload.

How Luka Doncic Changes the Lakers’ Playoff Outlook

With Doncic now fully available, the Lakers enter the final phase of the regular season with a revamped strategy.

1. Offensive Playmaking Upgrade

Before the trade: The Lakers relied heavily on LeBron James for playmaking.
Now: Doncic takes on the primary ball-handling role, allowing James to conserve energy for key moments.

2. A New Dynamic With LeBron

Doncic and James are both elite facilitators, meaning the Lakers’ offense can run through either player.
When LeBron sits out or plays reduced minutes, Doncic can carry the scoring and playmaking load alone.

3. Stronger Three-Point Shooting Threat

Doncic is a better outside shooter than Anthony Davis, providing a perimeter scoring boost.
His ability to space the floor opens up driving lanes for James and other Lakers players.

With Doncic in full form, the Lakers have a more balanced offensive approach and a better chance at making a deep playoff run.

Coach JJ Redick’s Personal Loss in the Wildfires

Beyond the team’s challenges on the court, Coach JJ Redick and his family suffered personal loss during the wildfires that led to this game’s rescheduling.

The Pacific Palisades blaze, one of the largest wildfires to hit Los Angeles in recent years, destroyed Redick’s home, forcing his family to relocate.

Despite this personal hardship, Redick remains focused on leading the Lakers, using the extra break time to prepare for the second half of the season.