The Los Angeles Lakers and their fanbase can finally relax — Luka Dončić’s injury scare won’t keep him off the court.
Just two days after limping out of Slovenia’s 100–88 exhibition loss to Latvia, the superstar guard has been fully cleared to return. According to the Basketball Federation of Slovenia, Dončić resumed training with no limitations and will officially suit up on Tuesday, Aug. 19, when Slovenia hosts Great Britain in Ljubljana.
“Tomorrow our team faces Great Britain at Arena Stožice. Our captain Luka Dončić will be in action,” the federation confirmed on X, posting alongside a smiling photo of the Lakers’ new cornerstone and a ticket link.
A Scary Moment in Riga
The good news follows a tense moment on Saturday, Aug. 16, when Dončić went down awkwardly in the third quarter against Latvia.
Teammate Gregor Hrovat accidentally landed on Dončić’s right knee, leaving the 26-year-old grimacing in pain. He immediately grabbed at the joint, signaled to be subbed out, and walked to the locker room with a trainer.
For Lakers fans — already dreaming of a deep playoff push with Dončić as the new face of the franchise — it was a heart-stopping sight.
Why This Matters for the Lakers
Dončić’s clean bill of health is massive news for Los Angeles. Since acquiring him as their new franchise star, expectations have skyrocketed. Any injury setback — especially during offseason international play — could have cast serious doubt on the Lakers’ upcoming season.
Instead, this update confirms Dončić will continue his summer preparation without interruption, building chemistry with Slovenia ahead of their next run of games, while also staying sharp for the NBA 2025–26 season.
