Luka Doncic injury update: Insider gives massive update on new Lakers star’s postponed debut

According to the latest report, Luka Doncic's highly-anticipated debut with the LA Lakers will happen on Monday against the Utah Jazz.

NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line said that Doncic returned to practice this week and is targeting the match against the Jazz at the Crypto.com Arena as his debut.

"BREAKING: Luka Doncic is targeting Monday against the Jazz make his Lakers debut, per @TheSteinLine."

The five-time NBA All-Star has not played a game since Christmas Day due to a left calf injury. The Lakers acquired Doncic via a blockbuster trade that shocked the basketball world last weekend.

Stein's update aligns with ESPN's Marc Spears' announcement about Doncic's debut. On Tuesday, Spears said that the 25-year-old's first game with the Lakers will be either Monday or Wednesday next week.

The Lakers will have a two-game mini-series with Jazz next week. They will battle in LA on Monday, while Wednesday's game will happen in Salt Lake City.

Luka Doncic's postponed debut

Before Marc Stein's report on Thursday, several other reports indicated that the LA Lakers' game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday will be Luka Doncic's debut. On Wednesday, ESPN announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it has adjusted its broadcast schedule in anticipation of Doncic's first game in purple and gold.

The media giant said the Lakers-Pacers match will replace the previously scheduled broadcast of Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns.

Further, Lakers coach JJ Redick told the media on Tuesday that the first game of his star player is "maybe Saturday."

When is Luka Doncic's game against his former team?

Luka Doncic and the LA Lakers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 25 at the Crypto.com Arena. Sans injuries, it could also be a homecoming of sorts for former Lakers big man Anthony Davis, who won a championship with LA in 2020.

Doncic's first game back in Dallas might happen before the 2024-25 regular season ends. The Lakers will battle the Mavericks on April 9 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The NBA regular season ends on April 13, when all 30 teams are scheduled to play.