Doncic's Return to the Mavericks May Happen Soon
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined since Christmas Day due to a left calf strain, participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage with the Los Angeles Lakers' "stay ready" group. This scrimmage took place after Lakers practice on Wednesday.
Lakers coach JJ Redick commented on the scrimmage, saying, "It went well. I think [his first game will be] probably, more likely, Monday. Again, no commitment made or anything, but probably trending more towards Monday."
Doncic's anticipated return was earlier reported by veteran NBA journalist Marc Stein, stating he was "trending towards" a debut on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers, although those plans have now changed.
Redick confirmed there were "no setbacks" during Doncic's scrimmage on Wednesday, and added that the 25-year-old also worked out and lifted weights on Thursday. "All is well, all is positive," Redick noted, expressing hope for an official announcement about Doncic’s return in the coming days.
In the recent game, the Lakers triumphed over the L.A. Clippers 122-97, with Doncic watching in a black Lakers track suit from the bench.
Redick also shared insights on the evaluation process for Doncic's return, emphasizing the importance of confidence for both Doncic and the medical staff. "We're not going to rush anything here," he stated, acknowledging the anticipation from fans and the team's coaching staff.
He added, "Once he's back and healthy and in the lineup, there's work to be done and that's going to be fun. It's going to be fun to figure it all out together."
