Luka Doncic is currently doing things in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey that shouldn't actually be possible. But if you’ve been watching the Luka last 10 games, you know the "magic" is starting to feel a lot more like a heavy lift. It is surreal. Seeing him in purple and gold still feels like a fever dream or a video game trade gone rogue, yet here we are in January 2026, and he's basically carrying the entire Staples Center on his back.
Honestly? It's getting exhausting to watch.
The stats are gargantuan, but the Lakers are sputtering. They went 4-6 over this recent stretch, and the vibes are, well, complicated. While the box scores look like typos—42 points here, a 38-point triple-double there—the reality is that JJ Redick is running his superstar into the ground.
The Brutal Reality of the Luka Last 10 Games
Look at the numbers. They don't lie, even if they don't tell the whole story. Over the last 10 outings, Luka is averaging roughly 33.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. On paper, that’s an MVP trophy delivered to his doorstep. In practice, it’s a cry for help.
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The Lakers' depth has been decimated. Austin Reaves is out with a nasty calf strain. Deandre Ayton has been in and out of the lineup with knee issues. This has forced Luka to play massive minutes—often 36 to 38 a night—in a system that asks him to create every single advantage.
A Quick Look at the Game Log
- Jan 15 vs. Charlotte: 39 points, but a 135-117 blowout loss. He shot 15-of-26. Efficient? Yes. Enough? Not even close.
- Jan 13 vs. Atlanta: 27 points and 12 assists. A rare win where the ball actually moved.
- Jan 12 at Sacramento: 42 points, 7 boards, 8 assists. He was a + or - of -10. How do you score 42 and lose by double digits? Ask the 2026 Lakers.
- Jan 9 vs. Milwaukee: 24 points on a rough 8-of-25 shooting night. Even gods bleed.
- Jan 7 at San Antonio: 38/10/10 triple-double. Another loss.
The pattern is glaring. When Luka scores 40, the Lakers often lose because nobody else is scoring 10.
The Groin Injury and the Wall
We finally saw the breaking point this weekend. On January 17, Luka was ruled out against the Portland Trail Blazers with left groin soreness. JJ Redick called it an "accumulation" issue. Basically, he played three games in four nights and his body finally said "enough."
The MRI came back clean, which is a massive sigh of relief for Lakers fans, but it highlights a terrifying dependency. Without Luka, the Lakers lost to Portland 132-116. They looked lost. They looked like a team without a rudder.
It’s easy to forget he’s only 26. He’s entering that physical prime where he should be unstoppable, but the usage rate is hovering at career-high levels. If you’re tracking the Luka last 10 games for fantasy purposes, you’re loving the production. If you’re a Lakers fan, you’re holding your breath every time he drives into traffic.
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What's Changed in His Game?
He’s actually shooting the three better than most expected this season, hovering around 35-36% on high volume. During this 10-game stretch, he had a six-three-pointer night against Charlotte. But the turnovers are still the bugaboo. He’s leading the league in giveaways because he simply has the ball too much.
When you’re tasked with being the primary scorer and the primary playmaker for 38 minutes, you're going to get sloppy.
Is the "LeLuka" Experiment Working?
The dynamic with LeBron James is... fascinating. LeBron is still productive, averaging about 21 points over this same stretch, but he’s clearly ceded the throne. He’s playing more of a "high-end role player" vibe some nights, which is wild to say about the GOAT.
There's a growing sentiment among analysts like Dave McMenamin that the Lakers need to find a way to win the minutes when Luka sits. Right now, they aren't just losing those minutes; they’re getting incinerated.
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Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're betting on or following Luka’s trajectory for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season, here is what actually matters:
- Monitor the Usage: If Luka continues to average 37+ minutes, the "groin soreness" will become a chronic "groin strain." Keep an eye on the injury reports for "load management" on the second half of back-to-backs.
- The Reaves Factor: The Lakers’ season depends on Austin Reaves returning. He is the only other player who can consistently initiate the offense, allowing Luka to work off-ball or actually catch a breather.
- Efficiency vs. Volume: Watch his field goal attempts. When Luka takes more than 25 shots, the Lakers’ win percentage actually drops. They are at their best when he’s at 27 points and 12 assists, rather than 42 points and 5 assists.
- Trade Deadline: Expect the Lakers to be aggressive. They need a defensive wing. Badly. Luka is many things, but a lockdown perimeter defender at 270 lbs (roughly) isn't one of them.
The Luka last 10 games have proven he is the best individual floor-raiser in basketball. He can take a group of G-Leaguers and keep them competitive with the Bucks or Kings. But a floor-raiser isn't a championship-winner without a ceiling. Right now, the Lakers' ceiling is in the repair shop.
The groin injury is a warning shot. The Lakers are day-to-day, and quite frankly, so is their season.