The Los Angeles Lakers had an anxious weekend after Luka Dončić, their newly extended superstar guard, went down with a knee injury while playing for Slovenia in a EuroBasket tune-up. Dončić was hurt when a teammate inadvertently collided with him while he was defending the paint, leaving him in visible pain and briefly raising fears of a serious setback.
Fortunately for both Slovenia and Los Angeles, the injury is not as severe as initially feared. Dončić has been diagnosed with a right knee contusion, and according to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, he’s already on the road back.
“Luka Dončić is scheduled to be back at practice Monday, Slovenia’s basketball federation has announced, with his official status still TBD for Tuesday’s @EuroBasket warmup game at home against Great Britain,” Stein reported Sunday morning on X, formerly Twitter.
That update provides significant relief for the Lakers, who just committed to Dončić with a major contract extension this summer. While a contusion could still linger over the coming weeks, Stein’s reporting makes clear that Dončić has avoided long-term damage — the nightmare scenario L.A. fans feared.
Lakers Breathing Easier
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The Lakers’ entire 2025 season outlook revolves around Dončić’s health and ability to build chemistry with Anthony Davis and the rest of the roster. For the front office, the sight of Dončić already set to return to practice just days after the scare is as encouraging as they could have hoped.
Even if Slovenia takes a cautious approach in Tuesday’s warmup against Great Britain, Los Angeles can rest assured this setback won’t impact his NBA availability.
EuroBasket Prep Continues
Dončić is far from the only NBA star participating in EuroBasket this summer — Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokić is suiting up for Serbia as well — but few players carry as much pressure as Dončić does for Slovenia. His team is still shaking off a 94-72 defeat to Lithuania on Friday, a game in which Dončić’s absence loomed large.
With the tournament set to begin Aug. 28, Slovenia is fine-tuning its approach, and Dončić’s return to the floor would immediately restore them as one of the most dangerous teams in the field.
Bigger Picture
For the Lakers, Stein’s update removes a cloud of uncertainty that could have overshadowed their offseason momentum. Dončić may not be 100% in every EuroBasket tune-up, but if he’s cleared to play once the tournament begins, he’ll have ample time to recover before the NBA season tips off.
Bottom line: Los Angeles avoided a crisis. Dončić may be a little bruised, but the team’s centerpiece is still on track to lead both Slovenia this summer — and the Lakers this fall.