The Los Angeles Lakers will be without the talented Luka Doncic for at least one more game during the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season. The team officially announced that Doncic will be absent due to personal reasons as he embarks on a three-game road trip, starting with a matchup against the Toronto Raptors in Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.
Doncic, the 26-year-old Slovenian star, has returned to Slovenia to welcome the birth of his second child with his fiancée Anamaria Goltes. This happy occasion comes shortly after their first child celebrated their second birthday, marking a significant moment for the couple.
During the NBA season, Doncic primarily resides in North America, which often keeps him apart from his family. His absence for the upcoming games raises questions about his participation in Friday’s game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden and the concluding match of the trip against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Lakers, under the guidance of head coach JJ Redick, have been performing well in Doncic’s absence, currently holding a strong 15-5 record that places them second in the Western Conference.
Throughout the season, Doncic has displayed exceptional skills, averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 assists, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. In addition to Doncic being sidelined, guard Marcus Smart is also ruled out due to lower back injury management. The opposing team, coached by Darko Rajakovic, will miss players Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett, who are dealing with their own injuries.
As the Lakers navigate this road trip without their star player, they will need to lean on their remaining roster to maintain their strong position in the standings, creating an opportunity for others to step up in Doncic’s absence. The team’s ability to adapt and perform well despite the challenges speaks to their depth and resilience this season.