Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
November 2025

After a left finger sprain and lower-leg contusion, Dončić is back to start West Group B of the Emirates NBA Cup against Memphis. He rejoins a lineup with Marcus Smart, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton after back-to-back 40-point openers. Medical staff cleared Dončić following symptom resolution and function tests. J.J. Redick will balance on-ball reps with Reaves to manage load, leverage Smart’s point-of-attack defense, and spam Dončić-Ayton two-man actions. Early substitution patterns should cap cumulative minutes across the Cup’s group slate.