The Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that Luka Doncic will sit out the team’s first two preseason games — Friday against the Phoenix Suns and Sunday against the Golden State Warriors — in what they described as a precautionary rest decision.
Luka Dončić will sit out the first two preseason games, in part due to his run with Slovenia at EuroBasket. The Lakers and the performance team want to take the long view as he ramps up to the regular season opener.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 3, 2025
Doncic is not dealing with a new injury but is continuing to ramp up after a long summer with Slovenia at EuroBasket, where he carried a heavy workload and suffered a minor knee contusion. The Lakers’ medical and performance staff recommended easing him in to prioritize the long grind of the regular season.
The Smart Decision
The Lakers don’t want to overwork Luka this early in October, especially coming off a Eurobasket tournament where he did most of the heavy lifting for his squad. With six preseason games in total, missing just the first two still leaves him time to build chemistry and conditioning before the regular season tips off.
It’s a proactive approach that reflects the organization’s emphasis on long-term health over short-term success— something Lakers fans know is crucial after years of dealing with untimely injuries to key stars.
How L.A. Adjusts in Luka’s Absence
While Doncic sits, head coach JJ Redick will use these games to experiment with rotations. Austin Reaves will likely be given most of the ball-handling and playmaking duties. While Ru Hachimura and DeAndre Ayton will likely pick up the scoring slack with both Luka and Lebron absent. This will also be an opportunity for fringe players to showcase their talent and potentially earn a spot on the roster or in South Bay.
The Bigger Picture
For fans eager to see Doncic in purple and gold, the frustration is understandable. But this isn’t a reason to panic. The team has made it clear that this is about October patience for April payoff.
Unless there’s a setback, Doncic is expected to appear in at least one preseason game before opening night — and to enter the regular season fully ready.
Luka Doncic’s delayed preseason debut is a calculated move to keep the Lakers’ new superstar healthy for when it matters most.
