The day of Luka Doncic’s presentation with the Los Angeles Lakers has arrived. While fans will have to wait a little longer to see him in action with his new team, he still delivered a funny moment involving his new head coach, J.J. Redick.

Doncic’s Joke About His New Coach

"First of all, he couldn't move at all," Doncic said with a big smile as he looked over at Redick. "No, but it was a great relationship. I really respect him. You don’t see me going on podcasts. I went on his podcast twice, so you know how much respect I have for him. So I’m really excited that I can play for him."

When Was Doncic’s Last Game?

Luka Doncic has not played since Christmas Day, meaning he has missed around 19 games since suffering the injury that sidelined him. He is still recovering, and the medical staff is monitoring his progress to determine when he will finally make his Lakers debut.

What Injury Does Luka Doncic Have?

Doncic is dealing with a left calf strain, an injury he sustained during the Dallas Mavericks' Christmas Day matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024. The initial prognosis suggested he would need at least a month before being re-evaluated, and while he is nearing a return, he remains under medical supervision.

When Will Doncic Debut for the Lakers?

Fans are eager to see Doncic in the Lakers' iconic gold uniform, but they will have to wait a little longer. The expectation is that he will return to action shortly before the NBA All-Star Game, which takes place February 14-16 in San Francisco.

Doncic’s potential debut dates are: February 6, 8, 10, or 12.

Possible Matchups for Doncic’s Return:

• February 6: Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
• February 8: Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers
• February 10: Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
• February 12: Utah Jazz vs. Lakers

The Lakers Hint at Doncic’s Return

During Doncic’s introductory press conference on Tuesday, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka shared that the team’s medical staff has a return-to-play plan in place. Doncic is scheduled to participate in 5-on-5 practices on Wednesday, and his official status remains day-to-day.

This update follows a report from ESPN’s Marc Spears on Monday, stating that Doncic could return as early as next week against the Utah Jazz. This aligns with initial reports from his time with the Mavericks, which indicated that he was expected to be back before the NBA All-Star break, starting on Friday, February 14.