JJ Redick reacts in one word to the notification about Luka Doncic’s injury
The The Los Angeles Lakers are holding their breath as they head into the final stretch before the All-Star break, all eyes are on health Luka Dončić. After the superstar point guard missed a crucial matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the head coach JJ Redick provided a brief but striking update on his status.
When asked about Doncic’s availability for Thursday’s high-stakes game against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, Redick offered one word that should provide some relief to the fanbase: “progressing.”
While Redick noted that Doncic remains “day-to-day,” the fact that he’s moving in the right direction is a big win for a Lakers team that felt his absence in a 119-110 loss to the Thunder on Monday night. Without their primary engine, the Lakers fell to 32-20 on the season, falling further behind in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
The injury occurred during last Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Doncic exited that game at the end of the second quarter after feeling pain in his left hamstring. He finished the night with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in just 16 minutes of action. Since then, the league’s leading scorer, averaging 32.8 points per game, has sat out three straight contests.
The The Lakers were a mixed bag without their MVP candidate, going 5-5 in games where Doncic doesn’t answer. in his absence, Austin Reeves and LeBron James they shouldered a greater burden of creation, but the team’s offensive efficiency drops noticeably without the gravitas of the Slovenian on the floor.
With the All-Star break looming, the organization is understandably cautious. However, Doncic is reportedly working to return for the game against Dallas, a match that carries a lot of personal weight for the 26-year-old.
He participated in contact work on Tuesday, a sign that “progress” isn’t just coach-speak. Whether he suits up Thursday or waits until after the break, the Lakers’ championship aspirations clearly hinge on getting their superstar back to 100 percent.
2026-02-11 02:26:00
