After missing the last two games for personal reasons, Luka Dončić has rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers in Philadelphia, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, ending a stretch of uncertainty that hovered over the Western Conference contenders.
Dončić is no longer listed on the Lakers’ official injury report, a strong indicator that he is set to return to action against the 76ers, who enter the matchup on a three-game winning streak.
The 26-year-old superstar missed two games while away from the team — an absence later revealed to be for the birth of his second child, daughter Olivia, after a surprise announcement posted to Instagram on Saturday.
The news comes just days after Dončić publicly celebrated the birthday of their first daughter with an emotional tribute:
“Happy birthday my little princess! You bring the most joy to my life! I love you, I miss you so much and I can’t wait to see you soon 💕💕❤️❤️”
For the Lakers, his return comes at a crucial point in their three-game road trip, and particularly against a red-hot team in Philadelphia.
Lakers Survive Luka Dončić’s Absence
Los Angeles split their first two games in the East Coast road trip without Dončić, banking on Rui Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday and a 21-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. The stretch showed both the Lakers’ resilience and their limitations.
Dončić has been among the NBA’s most unstoppable players to begin the season, averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists in 16 games — positioning him inside the league MVP and scoring title conversations.
Head coach JJ Redick said recently he was hopeful Dončić would return “soon,” but declined to set an exact target date. Sunday now appears to be that moment.
With the Lakers sitting third in the Western Conference at 16-6, the timing of Dončić’s return stabilizes the rotation ahead of a December slate packed with nationally televised matchups.
LeBron James Listed as Questionable; Marcus Smart Out
While Dončić is trending toward a return, the Lakers’ injury picture is far from settled.
Defensive stalwart Marcus Smart remains out, still recovering from an injury that has sidelined him since late November. His absence continues to leave a defensive and playmaking void in the backcourt rotation.
Meanwhile, LeBron James is officially listed as questionable due to right sciatica irritation and left foot joint arthritis. James has sat out the second night of a back-to-back set in Boston on Friday for load management related to long-term durability concerns.
The medical designation raises concerns heading into a physical matchup with Philadelphia, powered by rising star Tyrese Maxey, rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe and veteran Paul George.
Austin Reaves’ Rise Creates New Lakers Dynamic
In Dončić’s absence, Austin Reaves emerged as an unexpected offensive catalyst, averaging 40.0 points, 9.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds in five games without the Slovenian star, including a 44-point explosion in Toronto.
Reaves now ranks fifth in scoring (29.3) and 13th in assists (6.8) league-wide, creating a new dynamic duo in Los Angeles with James no longer the focal point of offense.
The chemistry between the two guards, combined with the eventual reintegration of Smart and the availability of James, could reshape the Lakers’ early-season trajectory.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Get Good News on Luka — But LeBron’s Status Raises Questions appeared first on Heavy Sports.