It sounds like the Los Angeles Lakers may have caught a break with Luka Dončić and his latest injury.
The NBA’s leading scorer suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday, Feb. 5 that forced him out of the team’s 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The injury happened during the second quarter, with 3:30 left to play. Philadelphia threw a double team at Dončić, which prompted him to turn the ball over on a bad pass. Immediately after the turnover, Dončić appeared to favor the back of his left leg and went straight to the locker room.
Dončić did not have a notable limp, but broadcast cameras caught him expressing visible frustration as he went into the locker room.
Dončić did not come out onto the floor with his teammates at the start of the second half, and the Lakers ruled him out with left leg soreness.
Here’s everything you need to know about Luka Dončić’s injury.
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In the latest acknowledgement of a mistake made in the February 2025 Luka Dončić trade, the Dallas Mavericks have shipped the centerpiece of their haul in that deal, big man Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. The Wizards will also get Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In return, Dallas will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, as reported first by ESPN on Wednesday.
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See which NBA players are on the move at trade deadline
In the latest acknowledgement of a mistake made in the February 2025 Luka Dončić trade, the Dallas Mavericks have shipped the centerpiece of their haul in that deal, big man Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. The Wizards will also get Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In return, Dallas will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, as reported first by ESPN on Wednesday.
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The Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers agree to a trade that would send former MVP James Harden to Cleveland, while Darius Garland heads to Southern California. The trade on Tuesday was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Cleveland becomes the sixth team in Harden’s 17-year career. Harden, who averages 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds, gives Cleveland another scoring option for the remainder of the regular-season. After all, he is No. 9 all-time in NBA scoring history with 28,805 points. For what it’s worth, he’s No. 12 all-time in assists. The Cavaliers acquire a combo guard in Harden who can play shooting guard and run a team as a point guard. He’s played with superstars his entire career and has had success, especially in the regular season.
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After the Clippers and Chris Paul parted ways in December, it was announced Wednesday that he would be part of a three-player deal involving the Toronto Raptors. He intends to retire at the end of the season.
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On Feb. 4, 2026, the Chicago Bulls traded Coby WhiteÑalong with Mike Conley Jr.Ñto the Charlotte Hornets in a multi-team deal involving the Bulls, Hornets, and Thunder.
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Multiple outlets confirm that on Feb. 4, 2026, the Philadelphia 76ers traded guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal sends McCain to OKC in exchange for four draft picks.
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The Atlanta Hawks traded guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young was in his eighth season with the Hawks, but the signs that his tenure was coming to a close had become apparent in recent months. He leaves as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,837) and 3-pointers (1,295).
Young has only played in 10 games this season and did not play on Wednesday due to a quad injury. Reports of the trade emerged during the team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans and Young was seen being embraced by members of the organization.
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See which NBA players are on the move at trade deadline
The Memphis Grizzlies continued to dismantle their once-promising roster with another major move involving the team’s core. But it doesn’t involve the star the NBA thought might be traded this week. The Utah Jazz have acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. as part of a significant trade in which the Memphis Grizzlies will receive three future first-round draft picks and several players, according to a report from ESPN on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The deal comes two days before the NBA’s trade deadline and represents a significant swerve after weeks of rumors surrounding Ja Morant’s future with the Grizzlies. The trade, once finalized, would send Jackson, center Jock Landale and forward Vince Williams, Jr. to the Jazz, according to multiple reports. Utah rookie Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round draft picks are going back to the Grizzlies in the transaction.
Luka Dončić injury update
On Friday, Feb. 6, ESPN reported that there’s initial optimism that Dončić’s hamstring injury is not a significant one, though he’s expected to be doubtful to play in Los Angeles’ game Saturday, Feb. 7 against the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers are not required to submit an official injury report until later Friday evening, so an official designation will be available then.
“Too early to say if it’s an injury,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters Thursday after the game. “(Dončić) had a sore hamstring.”
Luka Dončić stats
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on Feb. 5, 2026.
Dončić is averaging 32.8 points per game, which leads all NBA players, adding 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game. Dončić has appeared in 42 games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Dončić injury update: Latest on Lakers star’s hamstring
