The Los Angeles Lakers entered the All-Star break on a winning note as they took down the Dallas Mavericks 124-104. Luka Doncic didn’t suit up against his former team as he missed his fourth consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
Doncic was seen working out before the contest, which would indicate that he is close to returning for the Lakers. Head coach JJ Redick even said that Luka should be good to go once the team returns from the All-Star break, but it was unclear what that would mean for the All-Star Game itself.
Doncic was the leading vote-getter amongst all players and with the game being held in L.A. there will certainly be a large contingent of fans who would love to see him in action. And despite his recent injury, Doncic is expected to play in a limited capacity, per NBA insider Marc Stein:
The Lakers’ Luka Dončić is indeed on course to play for a short stint in Sunday’s All-Star Game after a strong pregame workout Thursday, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. pic.twitter.com/nUvNyyN8Gf
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 13, 2026
As Stein reported, it can be expected that while Doncic will suit up and play in the All-Star Game, his time on the court will be limited. A soft tissue injury like a hamstring strain Luka is dealing with is something that must be handled carefully and the Lakers have been extremely cautious in bringing him back. So there is no way Doncic or the team will risk his availability for the home stretch of the regular season by having him play too much in the All-Star Game.
Luka making an appearance and getting a few minutes on the court for the World team should be more than enough and then he can continue to ramp himself up and be ready to go when the Lakers are back on the court and ready to make their push towards the playoffs.
This year will be the first time the All-Star Game will have a USA vs. the World format with the game itself taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
2026 NBA All-Star Game rosters
USA Stars
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
USA Stripes
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Injured)
Team World
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Injured)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (Injured)
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
