The Los Angeles Lakers are facing more hurdles than they had expected. This includes the team’s obvious struggles in December, as well as Luka Dončić’s injury issues.
And while the Lakers have been trying to regain their footing following their blowout loss against the Detroit Pistons, Dončić’s lingering pain and injury might be a cause of concern as the 2025-26 season progresses.
Lakers Star Luka Dončić Is Reportedly Playing Through a Lot of Pain
Before the 2025-26 campaign began, the Lakers were already in turmoil. While they’d acquired Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in a shock trade last season, LeBron James’ sciatica affected the start of their season.
And while James is back on the court now, Dončić is the one struggling with injuries while the team fails to perform. According to Lakers Daily, sources have stated that the Slovenian is “in a lot of pain.” He is reportedly dealing with a left elbow injury and “nagging” pain in his legs.
Though he’s pushing through the pain, it’s impossible to say how an injury will manifest as the competition intensifies towards the end of the season.
“Dončić has been undergoing ‘around-the-clock’ treatment to suit up for the Lakers, sources said. The 26-year-old doesn’t want to sit out, though, sources said, since Los Angeles is already without Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent,” Lakers Daily’s Ashish Mathur wrote.
Others have also noted that the young NBA star is trying to keep pressure off his legs, relying more on his jump shot than usual. This further affects the Lakers, who primarily benefit from Dončić’s skills in the paint and around the rim.
Having said that, fans believe the Lakers can benefit from tanking the season, ultimately building around Dončić as their core. However, James’ spot on the team can make things complicated, especially since the 41-year-old star is headed towards retirement.
Despite his injuries, Dončić is averaging 33.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field.
NBA Analyst Urges Lakers To Punt the 2025–26 NBA Season
Considering their current 21-11 record and injury-plagued roster, the Lakers are at a disadvantage while heading into the postseason. In a recent post, NBA analyst Sam Quinn highlighted the Lakers’ current situation, urging them to tank the season and ultimately build around Dončić.
“Punt the season. Go into the offseason with $55 million in cap space. Use it for defense and athleticism. Assess the trade market from there. You have three first-round picks. Maybe you package them for a star. Maybe you split them for depth. But focus on covering Luka’s flaws,” Quinn said.
Following a 128-121 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers are currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference.
