Luka Doncic is set to begin his first regular season with the Los Angeles Lakers. But he will not appear in the team’s preseason games. During the NBA offseason, the star has stayed extremely busy playing in EuroBasket for Slovenia. There he achieved a major physical transformation, even losing weight and improving his conditioning.
The Lakers recently provided an update on the 26-year-old guard ahead of the 2025-26 season. The team expects him to strengthen their offense alongside stars like LeBron James and Austin Reaves. In just 28 games last season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, showcasing his ability to carry a team at the highest level.
Lakers protecting their star
According to Athlonsports, the Lakers will open the regular season on October 21 against the Golden State Warriors. Preseason action began Friday against the Phoenix Suns, with the franchise sitting out key players including LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and Maxi Kleber. Doncic is also on the inactive list for both weekend games, a move that aligns with the heavy physical workload he completed during the summer.
Lakers say Luka Doncic will not play in this weekend’s preseason games (tonight vs. Suns; Sunday at Warriors).
The decision was a collaborative one with the team’s performance after Luka’s EuroBasket run with Slovenia this summer.— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 3, 2025
Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group reported, “The Lakers say Luka Doncic will not play in this weekend’s preseason games (tonight vs. the Suns; Sunday at the Warriors). The decision was made collaboratively, taking into account the team’s performance and Luka’s EuroBasket campaign with Slovenia this summer.”
Doncic’s performance in EuroBasket was exceptional. Slovenia reached the semifinals, and Doncic averaged 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. He also ranks among the top three favorites to win the MVP this season.
Without a doubt, the Lakers will rely heavily on Doncic’s skills. As long as he remains healthy, he has the potential to take the team deep into the playoffs. With his talent complementing one of the strongest rosters in the Western Conference, Los Angeles is positioning itself as a formidable championship contender for the upcoming season.
