Luka Doncic was removed from the Lakers' injury report Friday night, moving from day-to-day to cleared. He is available for Los Angeles' season opener against the Nuggets.
What happened
Doncic was listed day-to-day earlier Friday, Oct. 16, with the designation tagged as rest, other. By 9:06 p.m. ET that night, the injury report updated his status to cleared, lifting any restriction ahead of the opener against Denver. The report did not give further detail on the issue and listed no expected return timeline, since he is no longer considered out or questionable. The update came hours before Los Angeles' 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off against the Nuggets on ESPN.
What it means for the Lakers
With Doncic cleared, the Lakers open the 2026-27 season at 0-0 against Denver at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Last season, Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 35.8 minutes across 64 games, the central scoring option when healthy. In games he has missed, the minutes have gone to Austin Reaves, who averaged 34.5 minutes and 23.3 points, and LeBron James, at 33.2 minutes and 20.9 points, with Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Luke Kennard and Gabe Vincent also absorbing time. With the season not yet underway, there is no record to compare with or without him.
What to watch
No further Lakers injury report has been issued beyond Friday's update, and no expected-return language applies since Doncic is cleared rather than out. Watch the next official injury report ahead of Los Angeles' following games for any new designation. The season opener against Denver is the first of the Lakers' 2026-27 schedule, with Doncic available and no restriction attached to his status.
Is Luka Doncic playing vs Nuggets?
Yes. Doncic was cleared on the Lakers' injury report after being listed day-to-day, and he is available for the season opener against Denver at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
When will Luka Doncic be back?
Doncic is not out. He was cleared off the injury report Friday, Oct. 16, after being listed day-to-day, and no expected return date applies since he is available to play.