What injury does Luka Doncic have? Will he play against Portland?
The Lakers’ star player has seen his match status questioned with this latest injury.
Luka Doncic will be absent when the Los Angeles Lakers tip off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night; the team confirmed on Friday that the 26-year-old’s left groin soreness has escalated to the point that the Lakers have opted to hold him out.
However, the Slovenian star has felt discomfort in his groin area in recent contests and had been managing the issue while continuing to play.
He scored 39 points in Thursday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets despite the soreness and had earlier logged big numbers against the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks after initially feeling something during warm-ups earlier in the week.
Highlight of the night, but Jake sold the clip. More proof Luka Doncic is the best passer in the NBA and it’s not even close. pic.twitter.com/vbcw6LjvCs
— LakeShow Teek (@XOLakeShow) January 16, 2026
The injury situation around the Lakers does not end with Doncic. Backup centre Jaxson Hayes is listed as questionable due to ongoing left hamstring tendinopathy, an issue that has already kept him out of the last couple of games. Starting centre Deandre Ayton has also appeared on the injury report with left knee soreness, adding to the uncertainty in the frontcourt.
On the opposing side, the Trail Blazers could be dealing with their own setbacks. Portland forward Deni Avdija is doubtful with a lower back strain, leaving both teams potentially shorthanded. Avdija’s absence would mark the third straight game he has missed due to the issue, just as the Blazers navigate their own injury challenges.
Doncic has been one of the most formidable scorers in the NBA this season, setting the pace of the league with an average of 33.6 points per game. With him out for tonight’s game, the Lakers face a significant offensive void. The injury news comes amid a rough patch for the organisation, which has lost eight of its last 13 matchups and currently sits fifth in the Western Conference standings.
“The way we play against Atlanta, it was a back-to-back, too, so we told on ourselves [that we are capable],” Doncic said after the win. “We got to play like that. Playing fast, playing with physicality. I think Atlanta was a good example for us.”
Luka Doncić arrived less than a year ago and is already part of Lakers history 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xxkvs5iDbd
— Luka Salad Doncić (@Facucaseross) January 16, 2026
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