Luka Doncic Expresses Joy at NBA Return After Six-Month Hiatus

Luka Doncic, star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, made his return to the basketball court on Monday night, participating in the team's preseason-opening victory against the Sacramento Kings. The game marked Doncic's first official competition in over six months, a period defined by recovery from a severe left hamstring injury and personal matters.

Doncic played 16 minutes in the first half, scoring 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting. He expressed his relief and happiness at being back on the court. "I missed it a lot," Doncic said. "Basketball is one of the best things in my life, and I missed it a lot. Being back for the games, being competitive, it’s just a lot of fun for me, and I’m really happy to be back."

Coach JJ Redick noted Doncic's eagerness for live action. "Whenever practice starts, he’s just ‘Are we playing live today?’ Like ‘When is live? When is live?’ He wants to play. He likes the competition, he likes the way live action looks and feels to him. He just has a real joy for playing the actual game of basketball," Redick stated.

Doncic's absence from competitive play began on April 2, when he suffered his hamstring injury during a game against the Thunder. This injury prematurely ended his 2025-26 season, causing him to miss the final five regular-season games and all 10 of the Lakers' playoff games. Furthermore, he opted out of playing for the Slovenian national team during the offseason to focus on his family amid an ongoing custody dispute.

Despite the lengthy break from official games, Doncic stayed competitive through other activities, including golf and various games. He also maintained his basketball training regimen. Redick confirmed that Doncic entered training camp in excellent physical condition. "He’s great physically," Redick said. "I mean, the guy worked his butt off all summer. [Stayed] in shape and actually ran this summer, like he actually did like sprints and stuff. And came into camp in fantastic shape."

The Lakers roster has undergone significant changes since Doncic's last appearance. Notable departures include LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton. The team has integrated nine new players, some of whom showcased their potential in the preseason opener. Defenders like Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle contributed to the Lakers forcing 15 turnovers in the first half, leading to 22 points off takeaways. Offensive contributions came from Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

The Lakers secured a dominant 127-103 victory over the Kings. Newcomer center Walker Kessler did not play due to a minor finger injury, while Austin Reaves (ankle), Collin Sexton (calf), and Arthur Kaluma also sat out with minor ailments.