JJ Redick provides a potential timeline for Luka Doncic’s return

The Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss Friday night’s game against the Boston Celtics, his second straight absence. Dončić is currently in Slovenia for the birth of his second child with his fiancee Anamarija Goltes.

With the Slovenian star guard unavailable for the Boston game, attention has turned to when he might reappear. Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick provided an update on Friday, saying Doncic is expected to return “soon,” adding that Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the final contest in a three-game stretch, remains “a possibility,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The team will provide official information on his availability by Saturday night.

Doncic was phenomenal on the court, averaging an NBA-leading 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game, along with 1.6 steals, while shooting 47.8% from the field, 34.1% from three-point range and 81.2% from the free throw line. The 26-year-old signed a three-year, $165 million extension during the offseason. This season is Doncic’s first full season with the Lakers, after last year’s triumph that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles entered Friday at 16-5, second in the Western Conference. The team demonstrated its depth on Thursday with a 123–120 road win over the Toronto Raptors. Austin Reeves was the best with 44 points and 11 assistswhile LeBron James, who is also dealing with injury problems, assisted Ruiya Hachimura on a three-pointer that was great. Although the Lakers won, game ended James’ record streak of 1,297 consecutive games in double figuresas he finished with just eight points.

Speaking of James, The 41-year-old forward will also play against the Celtics due to sciatica and arthritis in his left foot, injuries that had previously sidelined him for the first 14 games of the season. Marcus Smart is also unavailable against Boston with a back strain.

Looking ahead, Los Angeles will have two full days off after Sunday’s game before hosting the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup. If Doncic is unable to return against Philadelphia, the franchise could rely on players like Gabe Vincent, Jake LaRavia and Nick Smith to see increased minutes, continuing to rely on the depth that has allowed them to go 4–1 in games without their superstar this season.