Lakers HC JJ Redick provides potential Luka Doncic return timeline

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

With the Slovenian guard star 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 back “soon,” adding that Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the final contest of a three-game road trip, remains a “possibility,” per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The team will provide an official update on his availability by Saturday night.

When on the court, Doncic has been phenomenal, 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 maximum extension during the offseason. This season is Doncic’s first full season with the Lakers following last year’s blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles entered Friday with a 16–5 record, second in the Western Conference. The team demonstrated its depth on Thursday with a 123–120 road win over the Toronto Raptors. Austin Reaves led the charge with 44 points and 11 assists, while LeBron James, who also faces injury issues, assisted Rui Hachimura on a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Although the Lakers won, the game ended James’ record streak of 1,297 consecutive double-digit scoring games, as he finished with only eight points.

Speaking of James, the 41-year-old forward will also sit out against the Celtics due to right sciatica and left foot arthritis, injuries that previously kept him out of action for the first 14 games of the season. Marcus Smart is also unavailable against Boston with a back muscle strain.

Looking ahead, Los Angeles will have two full days of rest following 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 look to players like Gabe Vincent, Jake LaRavia, and Nick Smith to carry increased minutes, continuing to rely on the depth that has allowed them to go 4–1 in games without their superstar this season.

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