Is Luka Doncic playing tonight against Blazers? Latest on Lakers superstar's availability for final regular season game (April 13)

Luka Doncic of the LA Lakers is set to miss his team's final regular-season game on Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers have already clinched the third seed in the Western Conference, so they weren't going to risk an injury to their superstar in a non-bearing game.

According to the Lakers' injury report, Doncic has been ruled out because of a sore left quad. It's not the same injury that kept him out for a month and a half, which was a calf strain. He also dealt with a minor groin injury last week but was able to play versus the OKC Thunder.

Lakers Nation has nothing to worry about because "Luka Magic" is expected to play in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The purple and gold are just being cautious with their precious superstar and don't want him risking injury in a game that's not important.

Luka Doncic is not the only player on the LA Lakers' injury report for Sunday. LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber have all been ruled out against the Portland Trail Blazers. Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes are listed as questionable, while Jordan Goodwin was tagged as probable.

Coach JJ Redick is expected to dig deep on his bench and give a bunch of minutes to players such as Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. The Blazers are also using their second-string players, with their starters also ruled out of the final game of the regular season.

Portland is heading to the lottery, though they don't have a high chance of landing the first overall pick. They did improve this season under coach Chauncey Billups, with players such as Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan proving they are the future of the franchise.

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Luka Doncic confident about Lakers' chances of winning NBA championship this season

Luka Doncic confident about Lakers' chances of winning NBA championship this season. (Photo: IMAGN)

Despite teams such as the Boston Celtics, OKC Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers being favored to win the 2025 NBA championship, Luka Doncic is confident about the LA Lakers' chances this postseason. Doncic told reporters that the team is capable of bringing title number 18 to Hollywood.

"That's our only goal," Doncic said, according to ESPN. "I think we have the team to do it."

The Lakers don't have an official matchup in Round 1 of the 2025 NBA playoffs. It will be determined by the LA Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz games on Sunday.

If the Warriors beat the Clippers, they will be the sixth seed regardless of other outcomes. If Golden State loses and the Timberwolves win, they are going to face the Lakers in the first round.