In a significant boost for their campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers will have their superstar Luka Doncic available for their home clash against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, January 3, 2026. Doncic, who briefly dealt with a left shoulder concern, does not appear on the team's latest injury report and has been given the green light to play.
Doncic's Shoulder Scare and Swift Recovery
The concern around Luka Doncic arose during the Lakers' Tuesday night loss to the Detroit Pistons. The guard took contact to his left shoulder, which forced him to leave the game temporarily. Despite the discomfort, Doncic demonstrated his resilience by returning to play in the fourth quarter and finishing the contest with an impressive 30 points and 11 assists.
Fortunately for the Lakers and their fans, the incident did not lead to any lasting problems. There were no subsequent setbacks, and his absence from the injury report released on January 2 confirms the issue is resolved. The team expects him to shoulder his usual heavy workload, which currently stands at a league-leading average of 33.5 points per game.
Injury Report: Lakers and Grizzlies Depleted
While Doncic's return is a positive, both teams are navigating significant injury challenges. The Lakers will be without several key rotation players, which makes the availability of Doncic and LeBron James even more critical as the team looks to steady its course.
The full injury report for the January 3 matchup is as follows:
Los Angeles Lakers:
- Rui Hachimura: Out (Right calf soreness)
- Austin Reaves: Out (Left calf strain)
- Adou Thiero: Out (Right MCL sprain)
- Gabe Vincent: Out (Lumbar back strain)
- Jarred Vanderbilt: Questionable (Right leg soreness)
Memphis Grizzlies:
- Brandon Clarke: Out (Right calf strain)
- Zach Edey: Out (Left ankle stress reaction)
- Ty Jerome: Out (Right calf strain)
- John Konchar: Out (Left thumb UCL surgery recovery)
- Scottie Pippen Jr.: Out (Left great toe surgery recovery)
- Vince Williams Jr.: Out (Left patellar tendinitis)
- Jaylen Wells: Questionable (Left hamstring soreness)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Questionable (Right hamstring soreness)
Game Context and Stakes for Both Teams
The Lakers, holding a 20-11 record, lead the season series against the Grizzlies 2-0. One of those victories was a tightly contested 117-112 win where Luka Doncic dominated, dropping 44 points and controlling the game's final period. His presence fundamentally alters the dynamics of the matchup, especially against a short-handed Memphis squad.
With both sides missing multiple contributors, the game will likely hinge on star power. The Lakers have their two primary engines in Doncic and James ready to go. For the Grizzlies to compete, a big night from their own star, Ja Morant, will be essential to exploit the Lakers' depleted defense. If Morant can attack consistently, Memphis can stay close. However, if the Lakers' defense holds, the ball will likely be in Doncic's hands in crunch time, giving Los Angeles a decisive late-game edge.
