The NBA’s favorite rivalry: Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks will hit the floor on Thursday, Feb 12. This again means Luka Doncic will face his former team, now with new faces. Now, LA is coming off a two-game landslide, losing to the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, respectively. Meanwhile, Dallas’s never-ending struggles to survive in the west continue with a 7-game avalanche.

So, entering the game before the 2026 All-Star, the Lakers vs Mavericks becomes a crucial show of might. And therefore, both sides would need their superheroes.

Will the Lakers have LeBron James & Luka Doncic vs Mavericks?

There’s good news, and there’s bad news. The LA Lakers will have LeBron James suit up for them against Dallas. The 41-year-old missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Spurs as he was managing left foot arthritis. With that, Bron also lost his place at the 2026 All-Star games as he watched the Lakers lose 108-136 from the sidelines against San Antonio. The Akron Hammer’s 21-year-old All-Star streak is finally coming to an end.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will miss Luka Doncic against the Dallas Mavericks. The 26-year-old played against the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb 5 for the last time. Fifteen minutes into the game, Doncic left the floor in visible pain and frustration after pulling his hamstring. So now, the Slovenian superstar will miss his fourth consecutive game in Purple and Gold colors. However, the possibility of Luka suiting up during the All-Star weekend is still on the table.

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Coming to the stats, Luka Doncic is leading the league in scoring. When healthy, he is averaging 32.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 8.6 apg, and has a 47.3 FG%. On the other hand, LeBron James has averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds across 35 appearances so far in the 2025-26 season.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks: Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers

Other than Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers have one more injury to deal with. They are monitoring center Deandre Ayton on February 12 as knee discomfort placed him on the day-to-day list. Therefore, his availability remains uncertain for Thursday’s matchup with Dallas.

Meanwhile, the Lakers continue evaluating his recovery closely, since Ayton’s interior presence and rim protection carry significant value for rotation balance and defensive stability across upcoming crucial Western Conference games.

Dallas Mavericks

Now, the Dallas Mavericks are entering Thursday shorthanded as standout rookie Cooper Flagg sits out with a left midfoot sprain confirmed through MRI testing after Tuesday’s contest in Phoenix. The forward has delivered elite production, including four straight outings with 30 or more points, yet the Mavericks remain trapped in an eight-game slide. Consequently, Flagg will also miss Friday’s 2026 Castrol Rising Stars showcase.

Meanwhile, Caleb Martin battles a left ankle sprain and carries questionable status, while Naji Marshall faces uncertainty with a left foot strain. In addition, Kyrie Irving continues knee rehabilitation, with coach Jason Kidd earlier suggesting a return only after the All-Star break. Furthermore, Dereck Lively II remains sidelined after right foot surgery in December, further straining interior depth.

Predicted Starting Lineups for Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks

Let’s check out the possible starting five for both teams:

Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers took an emotional turn the day Luka Doncic left Texas and moved to Tinseltown. Since then, this iconic rivalry of the two Western Conference giants has been nothing but pure drama. Well, LA has gone 4-0 against Dallas since the Slovenian arrived. Now, as Thursday’s matchup knocks on the door, one question remains: Will the Lakers get their fifth win, or will the Mavs finally win their first?