Lakers’ Luka Dončić Makes Final Call on All-Star Game Availability

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has reached a decision on his availability for Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, opting to participate under strict limitations as the team continues to manage his recent hamstring injury.

According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Dončić will start the All-Star Game but will be on a minutes restriction and appear only in the opening game of the night’s format.

“Luka Dončić will start in Sunday’s All-Star Game and be on a minutes restriction per a source,” Woike wrote Saturday on X. “He was the leading vote getter. Dončić missed the last four games with a mild hamstring strain. He’ll play in just the first game Sunday.”

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Dončić Trending Toward Playing After Strong Workouts

Woike’s report followed earlier reporting from NBA insider Marc Stein, who indicated Friday that Dončić was trending toward a limited appearance after responding well in recent workouts.

“The Lakers’ Luka Dončić is indeed on course to play for a short stint in Sunday’s All-Star Game after a strong pregame workout Thursday,” Stein reported, citing league sources.

Dončić has been sidelined by a mild hamstring strain, an injury the Lakers have managed cautiously with an eye toward the second half of the season. The team held him out of the final four games before the All-Star break despite signs of progress.

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Lakers Stress Caution With Soft-Tissue Injuries

Before Thursday’s 124–104 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged Dončić’s desire to return but emphasized restraint given the nature of soft-tissue injuries.

“I think part of him wanted to push to get back prior to the break,” Redick said. “But we’ve got to be cautious with soft tissue injuries. We were very cautious with Austin, and you just saw what happened with Jalen Williams coming back. We all feel comfortable with the decision to hold him out, and he should be good to go post-All-Star break.”

Redick declined to comment directly on Dončić’s All-Star availability, noting the decision was outside the coaching staff’s purview.

“That’s above my pay grade,” Redick said.

Woike’s report later confirmed that Dončić would play, albeit in a carefully controlled role.

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Token Appearance Considered Realistic Scenario

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin previously suggested that a limited appearance was the most realistic outcome.

Speaking on SportsCenter, McMenamin said Dončić could make what he described as a “token appearance,” drawing a comparison to Kobe Bryant’s approach in the 2008 All-Star Game. Bryant played just three minutes in that contest while dealing with a dislocated finger.

“Perhaps that would be what we get from Luka on Sunday if he doesn’t feel fully recovered from that hamstring,” McMenamin said on Thursday.

McMenamin added that Dončić’s injury has been classified as a mild hamstring strain, which typically carries a recovery timeline of seven to 10 days.

“That recovery window includes the All-Star Game,” he said, reinforcing the expectation that Dončić’s minutes would be limited.

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Dončić Leads All-Star Voting, Prioritizes Fan Commitment

Dončić was voted an All-Star starter for the sixth time this season and, for the first time in his career, finished as the NBA’s leading vote-getter with more than 3.4 million fan votes.

“That’s meaningful to him, to be out there on the court to represent his fans,” McMenamin previously reported.

On the season, Dončić leads the NBA in scoring at 32.8 points per game while averaging 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds. He has already missed 12 games due to leg-related injuries, with the Lakers going 6–6 in those contests.

By limiting Dončić’s All-Star workload, the Lakers aim to strike a balance between honoring his fan support and protecting their franchise cornerstone for the stretch run ahead.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo