The Los Angeles Lakers can exhale: Luka Dončić’s latest injury scare will not keep their new franchise star sidelined.
Just two days after limping out of Slovenia’s 100-88 exhibition loss to Latvia, Dončić was cleared to resume full participation with the national team. The Basketball Federation of Slovenia confirmed on Monday that the 26-year-old guard practiced without limitation and will suit up against Great Britain in Ljubljana on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
“Tomorrow our team faces Great Britain at Arena Stožice. Our captain Luka Dončić will be in action,” the federation posted on X, alongside a ticket link and a photo of the smiling Lakers star.
The update came as a relief after a tense moment in Riga on Saturday, Aug. 16, when Dončić fell awkwardly in the third quarter. His teammate, Gregor Hrovat, landed on his right knee, sending Dončić grimacing to the floor. He immediately grabbed at the joint and motioned to be subbed out, leaving for the locker room with a trainer.
To the crowd’s delight, he returned to the bench shortly after and then re-entered the game. Dončić ultimately finished with a game-high 26 points, including five three-pointers on 11 attempts, plus five assists and two steals. But the frightening scene sparked concern, especially given his history of lower-body injuries.
Lakers Dodge Serious Luka Injury
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Dončić was diagnosed with a right knee contusion — essentially a deep bruise — with no structural damage. That diagnosis has allowed him to continue Slovenia’s EuroBasket preparations without delay.
Slovenia still has two tune-ups remaining: Tuesday against Great Britain in Ljubljana and Thursday against Serbia in Belgrade. Their EuroBasket opener comes Aug. 28 against Poland.
For Dončić, the stakes go beyond national pride. He is Slovenia’s only active NBA player, the face of the program, and a global superstar. The Lakers also have plenty invested, having traded Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks this summer before inking Dončić to a three-year, $165 million contract. With that kind of commitment, any health scare is magnified.
Last season, Dončić missed 22 straight games with a calf injury, part of what soured his relationship with the Mavericks. They eventually moved on, and the Lakers swooped in, banking on Dončić’s generational talent to pair with LeBron James in their pursuit of another championship that will tie their arch-rival Boston Celtics as the winningest NBA franchise with 18 titles.
Strict Offseason Diet
Dončić has spent this offseason determined to be more durable.
After a first-round playoff exit, he committed to an ambitious fitness overhaul, shedding 31 pounds through intermittent fasting and a stricter diet. His plan: 16-hour daily fasts, six days a week, with workouts often scheduled before he breaks the fast at noon. He’s cut out gluten and sugar, upped his protein intake to 250 grams per day, and leaned more heavily on plant-based foods.
The results have been dramatic.
In his Men’s Health cover story, Dončić said he feels quicker, lighter, and better conditioned than at any point since entering the NBA in 2018. The goal, he emphasized, is longevity — a necessity if he hopes to lead both the Lakers and Slovenia deep into major tournaments.
For now, the injury scare is behind him. Dončić will take the floor Tuesday night in Ljubljana, chasing another strong performance as Slovenia fine-tunes for EuroBasket — and the Lakers monitor every step.
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