The conclusion of the 2025 All-Star Weekend marks the return of regular-season NBA action.

Luka Doncic's game status against CharlotteLuka Doncic (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
For Luka Doncic, the weekend provided a much-needed break after being left off the All-Star roster.

The Lakers are set to host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, February 19. With a seven-game home winning streak, Lakers fans have another reason to be optimistic. Doncic is no longer listed on the injury report and is expected to play.

Since his blockbuster trade to the Lakers, Doncic has only suited up for two games in the purple and gold. In his debut, he recorded 14 points, followed by a 16-point performance in his second appearance.
Luka DoncicLuka Doncic (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Despite his presence, his playing time has been strictly managed. Doncic has yet to exceed 24 minutes in either game. According to JJ Redick on Tuesday, the Lakers will continue to monitor his minutes in Wednesday’s matchup.

The Lakers enter the game with a relatively clean injury report, which is a rarity for them this season. LeBron James is listed as questionable due to left foot soreness, while Maxi Kleber remains sidelined as he recovers from foot surgery.

For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams are probable. However, the team will be without Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, Josh Okogie, and Grant Williams due to various injuries.

Mavericks CEO Admits He Underestimated The Fallout Of Luka Doncic’s Trade

The Mavericks decision to trade Luka Doncic caught both Doncic and Mavericks fans off guard. For a franchise that had built its identity around Doncic, the trade felt like an unexpected gut punch. Mavericks CEO Rick Welts admitted as much in an interview with The Dallas Morning News while sharing just how seismic the move was.

“I thought I’d seen everything in my 47 years in the NBA, but clearly this was different…I probably underestimated the reaction. It’s incredibly emotional, an incredibly difficult time for so many people,” Welts said.

Doncic had been the face of the Mavericks since his arrival in 2018. Meanwhile, the star guard is trying to cope with his new chapter. But the echoes of his time in Dallas and the shock of his exit will not fade anytime soon.