The L.A. Lakers are sliding, and patience is wearing thin. On Monday, Luka Doncic dropped 42 points vs. the Kings, but the performance came with an alarming admission that shifted the focus away from the score to future uncertainty. What should have been another impactful night instead deepened concerns about the Lakers’ direction and their growing injury issues.
The timing could not be worse. Los Angeles entered the night already shorthanded and desperate for momentum. Doncic delivered early, controlled the showdown for three quarters, and looked every bit like the centerpiece of the offense. Then the fourth quarter arrived, and the mood changed fast.
Luka Doncic’s Postgame Admission Raises Fresh Alarm for Lakers
After the defeat on Monday, Doncic admitted he was not fully healthy even before tipoff. He joined reporters in the postgame locker room. He shed light on how the issue occurred during warm-ups and persisted throughout the night.
“Yeah, I was really uncertain, you know, before the game,” Doncic said after the Kings matchup. “I felt like warming up… I felt something. So, I was trying to get warm and get going. But tomorrow, we’ll see how I wake up.”
Luka Doncic had his inner thigh/groin area treated in the second half tonight. He said he was unsure if he was going to be able to play coming into tonight. He will have to see how he feels tomorrow for the b2b vs. ATL. pic.twitter.com/ezY0c85ogr
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 13, 2026
The concern lies in his inner thigh and groin area. Even in pain, the star scored 40 of his 42 points through three quarters on 15-of-21 shooting. In the final quarter, with his thigh wrapped, he managed only two points and appeared to be in discomfort.
Insider Dave McMenamin has more info in an X post, following the game at Golden 1 Center:
“Luka Doncic had his inner thigh/groin area treated in the second half tonight,” McMenamin wrote. “He said he was unsure if he was going to be able to play coming into tonight. He will have to see how he feels tomorrow for the b2b vs. ATL.”
The Lakers now face the Hawks on Jan 14, and Doncic’s presence is crucial. His situation mirrored LeBron James’ approach to back-to-backs this season, where rest decisions hinge on how his body responds the following day.
For fans, the frustration feels familiar. Injuries continue to dictate lineups, rotations keep changing, and big performances come with disclaimers. Even a 42-point night now raises more questions than confidence.
A fan said, “It just keeps getting better.”
Another said, “Great job, JJ and Pelinka! Running your superstar to the ground halfway into the season!! Great job 😔.”
One fan chimes, “Hope they rest him Lakers getting smacked tomorrow either way.”
Another fan said, “Damn the NBA f**ked up for scheduling Atlanta on a back-to-back.. Atlanta games damn near another Lakers home game.”
The last fan seemed unbothered, saying, “Nobody cares about the NBA.”
The Lakers will wait for the morning update. Fans will do the same, with far less patience than before.
