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Luka Dončić says he ‘felt great’ physically after preseason opener

Luka Dončić returned to action for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, making his first appearance in an organized game since April 2. The Slovenian superstar played 16 minutes in a 127-103 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings, contributing 21 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals while shooting 5-of-12 from the field.

Dončić, who has been recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain sustained late last season, expressed optimism about his physical readiness, calling his performance “great” and emphasizing how much he had missed the game during his extended absence. His return marks the first time he has taken the court since sitting out the summer’s World Cup qualifying games due to injury, a break that lasted over half a year.

The Lakers will look to build on this preseason momentum as they aim for a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign, with Dončić’s health and availability critical to their playoff aspirations and his own pursuit of a long-overdue MVP award. If he can maintain this level of play and avoid further setbacks, it could significantly boost his chances of finally securing a top-three MVP finish after multiple All-NBA First Team selections.

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