On Tuesday, Luka Doncic was the hero without a cape. Even in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 109-119 loss against the Golden State Warriors, No. 77 reigned. A solid 43 points, 12 rebounds, double-double game night for the Slovenian guard has kept the fans’ dreams alive. It’s clear after the opening game that Doncic and Austin Reaves are going to be heavy lifting in LeBron James’ absence. However, the crowd grew concerned when the 26-year-old limped on the court.

Adding salt to the wound, Doncic looked to be nursing a groin injury as the game wore on, repeatedly clutching it in pain while the clock ticked down. Meanwhile, the NBA and NFL injury insider, Dr. Evan Jeffries, shared the clip of an injured Luka on his X handle and wrote: “Unfortunately, Luka Doncic has not looked the same since a couple of mins ago. Continues to grab his right adductor (groin). Big concern moving forward.”

Now, you can see why Lakers Nation worries about Luka Doncic‘s health. Last season, he experienced a left calf strain in a Christmas Day matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sadly, the Dallas Mavericks had to rule the star out of action for a month due to the injury. And on top of that, they also lost the game against Anthony Edwards & Co.

Doncic’s body has been a recurring headline, with his left calf giving him trouble through two preseasons and the start of the 2022 playoffs. Last season, injuries stacked up with a right knee contusion, right wrist sprain, and left heel contusion. Now, the groin issue adds another chapter to his saga, keeping the five-time All-Star on edge.

Luka Doncic ruled out any concerns about the latest injury

Luka Doncic shrugged off concerns about an apparent leg injury after the Lakers’ 119-109 season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors. The 26-year-old guard was seen grabbing at his inner right leg near the groin late in the game, but he insisted, “It’s probably nothing. Just felt it a little bit because my hip went (the opposite) way. Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing.”

Doncic dominated for 41 minutes, posting 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. With four-time NBA MVP LeBron James sidelined by sciatica, the spotlight intensified on the young star as the Lakers prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in a surprise February trade, Doncic quickly signed a three-year, $165 million extension in August. The All-Star guard has averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 451 career games, all starts, between Dallas and Los Angeles.

The Lakers now lean on Doncic’s firepower while fans watch every move, every point, and every assist with heightened anticipation, knowing his performance will shape the season with LeBron absent. Undoubtedly, injuries are a part of an athlete’s life, but for the LA Lakers, if Luka is somehow sidelined, then trouble will not knock, but bang their doors with no mercy!