Redick Confirms Monday as Likely Return Date
Luka Dončić is expected to make his long-awaited debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night against the Utah Jazz (10:30 PM ET, NBA League Pass), head coach JJ Redick confirmed.
The Slovenian superstar has been sidelined since Christmas Day due to a strained left calf. Initially, Redick hinted that Dončić could return for the Lakers’ Saturday matchup against Indiana, but he later adjusted that timeline, suggesting Monday as the more probable date.
“Probably more likely Monday,” Redick said. “No commitment made on anything, but probably trending more toward Monday.”
Dončić Recovering Well, No Setbacks Reported
The Lakers acquired Dončić in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks, sending Anthony Davis to Dallas in return. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Dončić has been ramping up his activity, including participating in a 5-on-5 scrimmage with teammates and coaching staff on Wednesday.
So far, there have been no setbacks in his recovery process, and all signs point to him being ready to hit the court soon.
“All is well. All is positive,” Redick said. “Hopefully we get the word at some point in the next few days that he is going to play. We all want to see him in a Laker uniform.”
Lakers Continue Roster Overhaul
Just days after acquiring Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from Dallas, the Lakers made another major move, bringing in 7-foot-2 center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddick.
The trade had not yet been officially approved by the NBA as of Thursday night, so Redick refrained from discussing Williams’ potential role. However, it’s clear that the Lakers are reshaping their roster significantly in preparation for the second half of the season.
The Focus: A Smooth Transition for Dončić
While Dončić’s arrival is highly anticipated, Redick emphasized that patience is key as the team adjusts to their new lineup.
“We want him to feel confident. We want our medical staff to feel confident. We don’t want to rush anything here,” Redick stated.
The Lakers coach also acknowledged that integrating Dončić into the system won’t be instantaneous, but he’s excited about the challenge.
“I think the one thing we all have in the back of our mind as we’ve shifted and had to recalibrate here in the last week — we’re not going to be able to just snap our fingers and it’s all going to work right away. There’s work to be done once he’s healthy and back in the lineup, and that’s going to be fun.”
The Countdown Begins
With Dončić’s likely return set for Monday, Lakers fans are eagerly awaiting his first game in the purple and gold. His presence could be a game-changer as Los Angeles looks to build momentum and make a strong push in the Western Conference.
