On Tuesday, Luka Doncic was the hero, but without a cape in LA. In the Lakers’ 109-119 loss against the Warriors, No. 77 reigned, with a solid 43 points and 12 rebounds, a double-double game night for the Slovenian guard that kept the fans’ dreams alive. It’s clear after the opening game that Doncic and Austin Reaves are going to be heavy lifting in their ace LeBron James’ absence. However, the crowd grew concerned when they spotted the 26-year-old limping on the court.

Doncic looked to be nursing a groin injury, repeatedly clutching it in pain while the clock ticked down. Meanwhile, NBA and NFL injury insider, Dr. Evan Jeffries, shared the clip of an injured Luka on his X handle and wrote: “Unfortunately, Luka Doncic has not looked the same since a couple of mins ago. Continues to grab his right adductor (groin). Big concern moving forward.”

Now, you can see why Lakers Nation worries about Luka Doncic‘s health. Last season, he experienced a left calf strain in a Christmas Day matchup against the Timberwolves. Sadly, the Mavs had to rule him out of action for a month before he boarded the one-way flight to LA.

Doncic’s body has been a recurring headline, with his left calf giving him trouble across two preseasons. Last season, injuries accumulated, including a right knee contusion, a right wrist sprain, and a left heel contusion. Now, the groin issue adds another chapter to his saga, keeping the five-time All-Star on edge…

Luka Doncic ruled out any concerns about the latest injury

Luka Doncic shrugged off concerns about an apparent leg injury. The 26-year-old guard insisted, “It’s probably nothing. Just felt it a little bit because my hip went (the opposite) way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”

ESPN noted that he received treatment for an hour on the inside of his right leg, but HC Redick didn’t seem too worried about it. “He seems to be fine. I don’t think it’s anything major. He got some treatment this morning, and we didn’t practice long, but he was a participant in practice,” Redick said.

Doncic dominated for 41 minutes, posting 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. With four-time NBA MVP LeBron James sidelined by sciatica, the spotlight intensifies on the young star as the Lakers prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in a surprise February trade, ‘the franchise player’ quickly signed a three-year, $165 million extension in August. The All-Star guard has averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 451 career games, all starts, between Dallas and Los Angeles.

The Lakers now rely on Doncic’s firepower, with fans watching every move, every point, and every assist with heightened anticipation, knowing his performance will shape the season with LeBron James absent. Undoubtedly, injuries are a part of an athlete’s life, but for the Lakers, if Doncic is somehow sidelined, then trouble will not knock, but bang their doors with no mercy!