All-Star Blow: Dončić, Ayton Ruled Out Again

The Lakers face the Mavericks without Luka Dončić and Deandre Ayton, with LA struggling in offensive efficiency amid key injuries.

sarah

Feb 13, 2026 - 11:10

All-Star Blow: Dončić, Ayton Ruled Out Again

LOS ANGELES, California -- Lakers superstar Luka Dončić and starting center Deandre Ayton will be out for the Lakers' final game before the All-Star break on Thursday against the Mavericks.

Dončić has missed the last three games after going to the locker room with a hamstring strain in the second quarter of last Thursday's game against the Sixers. Ayton will miss his second consecutive game (his eighth this season) due to right knee pain.

Following the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 119-115 win over the Sixers, coach JJ Redick said Dončić told the staff he wouldn't be able to finish the game.

Read Also

Carrick Revives ‘Sir Alex’ Formula in Dream Man Utd Start

"He felt some pain in his hamstring. He didn't feel it was good enough to go back, and our medical staff felt the same way," Redick said. Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia without the Slovenian, with Austin Reaves scoring a blazing 35 points in 25 minutes off the bench.

In their three games without Dončić, the Lakers lost two. A close win over the Warriors, followed by back-to-back losses to the top two teams in the West: the Thunder (42-13) and the Spurs (38-16).

For more information, the Lakers were without four of their five starters against San Antonio, including Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Ayton, and Dončić.

Software Services

Turn your casino idea into a live platform — start your journey today

The Lakers have a 5-6 record without Dončić this season, and in their last three games without him, L.A. has been behind in field goal attempts and 3-point attempts, highlighting how much they are missing this offense.

Dončić still leads the NBA in scoring with 32.8 points per game (42 games) to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 8.6 assists, while Ayton has posted 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 46 games this season.

L.A. is 32-21, sixth in the Western Conference with a 14-10 record at Crypto.com Arena.

Thank you for reading this content.