Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Luka Doncic Now Believes That Injured Players Always Return Against Lakers
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis > Luka Doncic Now Believes That Injured Players Always Return Against Lakers

Luka Doncic Now Believes That Injured Players Always Return Against Lakers

Luka Doncic has now started to believe that injured players find a way to return in time for the Lakers.

Gautam Varier
Mar 3, 2025
4 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic is now a believer in the “conspiracy theory” that injured players always return against the Los Angeles Lakers. In his postgame press conference after the 108-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Doncic was asked if he feels the Lakers have a big target on their backs, and he believes they do.

“Yeah, I think so,” Doncic said. “I didn’t believe it before, but they say like if somebody’s out a long time then they play against the Lakers. I don’t know, I didn’t believe that (for) a long time, but obviously it’s the Lakers. So, I think that’s normal.”

Luka Doncic said he’s already learned how other teams tend to get up to play the Lakers and give them their best shot. “I didn’t believe it before, but they say if somebody is out a long time, then they play against the Lakers … So I think that’s normal [now].” pic.twitter.com/MPQt0Bp903

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 3, 2025

The theory that opposing players do that was strengthened in the minds of Lakers fans here, thanks to Norman Powell. Powell had not played since the All-Star break due to left knee tendinopathy but was back for Sunday’s clash. The fact that the guard then had to exit the game due to injury in the first quarter led to many believing he had rushed back to play against the Lakers.

That might not be an accurate assessment, though, as Powell had to leave because of right hamstring soreness. The latest injury wasn’t really related to the previous one. Powell also didn’t play when these teams faced off on Friday, which shoots some more holes in the theory.

You’d reckon the biggest motivation Powell might have had to return as soon as possible was the 65-game rule for awards. The 31-year-old has already missed 14 games and can only miss a few more before he becomes ineligible. Here’s hoping this hamstring issue doesn’t keep Powell out for too long.

Getting back to the Lakers, Doncic isn’t the first player to claim these lines. LeBron James once implied that players are resting before playing against the Lakers, which appears to be a belief within that locker room.

There have been a few instances this season where we have seen players play against the Lakers but sit out for other games. The most notable example perhaps was Bradley Beal playing against them on Dec. 25 and Dec. 28 but missing games against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 26 and the Clippers on Dec. 31.

Was that intentional? Well, only Beal knows. Later on in the season, Lakers fans were convinced that Jrue Holiday and Al Horford would intentionally miss a game against the Clippers to be ready for them.

Holiday and Horford did sit out for the Clippers game on Jan. 22, but they were back for the Boston Celtics against the Lakers on Jan. 23. That would have only strengthened the notion that opposing players were resting up for the Lakers.

Whether that’s actually happening or not, it’s not stopping the Lakers from racking up wins of late. They have won 16 of their last 19 games and are currently on a six-game winning streak. They now have a 38-21 record and are second in the standings in the Western Conference.

The Lakers will be in action next against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday at 10:30 PM ET. The Pelicans might well bring their A-game to that clash, but it’s unlikely to be enough to get the win.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Los Angeles Lakers ArchiveLuka Doncic
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByGautam Varier
Follow:
Gautam Varier is a staff writer and columnist for Fadeaway World from Mumbai, India. He graduated from Symbiosis International University with a Master of Business specializing in Sports Management in 2020. This educational achievement enables Gautam to apply sophisticated analytical techniques to his incisive coverage of basketball, blending business acumen with sports knowledge.Before joining Fadeaway World in 2022, Gautam honed his journalistic skills at Sportskeeda and SportsKPI, where he covered a range of sports topics with an emphasis on basketball. His passion for the sport was ignited after witnessing the high-octane offense of the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Among the Suns, Shawn Marion stood out to Gautam as an all-time underrated NBA player. Marion’s versatility as a defender and his rebounding prowess, despite being just 6’7”, impressed Gautam immensely. He admired Marion’s finishing ability at the rim and his shooting, despite an unconventional jump shot, believing that Marion’s skill set would have been even more appreciated in today’s NBA.This transformative experience not only deepened his love for basketball but also shaped his approach to sports writing, enabling him to connect with readers through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis.
Previous Article LeBron James Might Be Having A Better Season At 40 Years Old Than His 2012-13 MVP Season
Next Article Kevin Durant Bluntly Criticizes Suns After Blowout Loss To Timberwolves
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Steve Kerr Took A Page From Phil Jackson’s Book To Avoid Contract Distractions During Warriors’ Season

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Seth Curry Admits He Didn’t Want To Team Up With Stephen Curry Until Now

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (15) takes questions during media day at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Nikola Jokic Remains Loyal To The Nuggets Despite Not Signing An Extension This Summer

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?