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Luka Doncic entered the 2026 NBA All-Star break surrounded by uncertainty. The Los Angeles Lakers guard had been sidelined with a hamstring injury in the weeks leading up to the showcase, raising questions about whether he would participate at all. Ultimately, Doncic suited up for Team World — albeit under strict limitations — and offered a positive update afterward.
“It was good,” Doncic said after the games, when asked about his injured hamstring.
“Obviously, I wanted to go out there. The fans voted me to be in this game, so I wanted to be there. It felt good.”
For the Lakers, the most important takeaway wasn’t the stat line — it was the absence of setbacks.
Limited minutes, no setbacks
Luka Doncic logged just five minutes across two games on Sunday, clearly operating with caution. In the matchup against the USA Stars, he went 1-of-3 from the field, missing both attempts from beyond the arc. He finished with two points and two assists as Team World narrowly fell 37-35.
In the subsequent game against USA Stripes, Doncic did not see the floor and was listed as a DNP-CD, alongside superstar center Nikola Jokic. The decision underscored the Lakers’ priority: protecting their franchise cornerstone ahead of the season’s decisive stretch.
Encouragingly, the All-Star appearance did not aggravate the hamstring issue. That development gives Los Angeles renewed optimism heading into the final push toward playoff positioning.
Eyeing a return for the final stretch
Before the injury, Luka Doncic had maintained relative durability this season. The setback occurred during a February 5 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, when he exited just 15 minutes into the contest. He subsequently missed four games, during which the Lakers posted a 2-2 record.
While the team has not formally announced a return date, there is growing belief that additional rest during the break could position Doncic for a comeback as soon as Friday night’s home clash against the Los Angeles Clippers.
For a Lakers squad seeking consistency and momentum, Luka Doncic’s health remains the defining variable. His All-Star appearance may have been brief, but the update he delivered could prove pivotal for the remainder of the season.
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