Luka Doncic entered All-Star Weekend as the league’s leading vote-getter, but whether he would actually appear in the game remained uncertain right up until tip-off. The Los Angeles Lakers star had missed four straight games before the break with a hamstring injury, leaving his status for the exhibition very much in question.
In the end, Doncic did take the floor, albeit briefly. Playing in his first All-Star Game as a Laker, Doncic logged just five minutes for the World Team in its opening matchup against the USA Stars. He finished with two points and two assists, but the box score mattered far less than how his body responded.
Doncic made it clear that the decision to play was as much about the fans as it was about testing his health.
“It was good,” Doncic said. “Obviously, I wanted to go out there. The fans voted me to be in this game so I wanted to be there and be part of it a little bit. But (my hamstring) felt good.”
The All-Star Game was held in Los Angeles, ensuring a heavy presence of Lakers fans inside the building despite the event taking place at the Clippers’ home arena. For those in attendance, Doncic’s brief appearance was enough to provide reassurance that his injury is trending in the right direction.
The Lakers, who have been cautious with Doncic since the hamstring issue surfaced, will now turn their attention to Friday night’s matchup against the Clippers. Asked whether his All-Star cameo meant he would be ready to return when regular-season play resumes, Doncic stopped short of offering confirmation.
“We’ll see,” he said.
While noncommittal, the appearance itself was widely viewed as an encouraging sign. Doncic would not have been cleared to play at all if the injury posed any real risk, and his ability to move comfortably during his minutes suggested the issue was indeed minor.
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