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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers (Image via Getty)
Luka Doncic will not play when the Los Angeles Lakers face the Phoenix Suns on December 23, 2025. The Lakers ruled him out due to a left calf contusion suffered in the previous game against the Clippers.His absence changes the night quickly. What was expected to be another star-led matchup now turns into a game shaped by health and rotations. The Lakers are already stretched thin, and without their primary scorer, they will need production from players further down the bench.
Why is Luka Doncic not playing tonight vs the Phoenix Suns (December 23, 2025)
Luka Doncic left the Los Angeles Lakers’ 103-88 loss to the Clippers early in the first half. During a drive, he took a knee to the left calf from Bogdan Bogdanović and immediately showed discomfort.
He headed to the locker room soon after and did not return.The team later confirmed the injury as a calf contusion. Head coach JJ Redick said it is an issue that has come up more than once this season, largely due to repeated contact. The Lakers are looking at added leg protection to reduce the risk going forward. Although he was first listed as day-to-day, the team chose caution and ruled him out against Phoenix, with Christmas Day against Houston viewed as a possible return.
Los Angeles Lakers injury report before Suns game (December 23, 2025)
Los Angeles Lakers arrive in Phoenix with several rotation players unavailable or recently cleared.
| Player | Injury | Status | Notes |
| Luka Dončić | Left calf contusion | Out | Missed full practice |
| Rui Hachimura | Right groin soreness | Out | Day-to-day |
| Gabe Vincent | Lumbar back strain | Out | Third straight missed game |
| Austin Reaves | Left calf strain | Available | Cleared after partial practice |
| Deandre Ayton | Left elbow soreness | Available | Returned to full practice |
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are not listed on the injury report and are expected to play.
Suns dealing with their own absences
Phoenix also enters the game short-handed. Jalen Green remains out with a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks. Grayson Allen was ruled out earlier with a foot issue, and no update confirmed his return.That puts more responsibility on Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to control the game, especially against a Lakers lineup missing its top scorer.Also read: Is LeBron James playing tonight vs the Phoenix Suns? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star's injury report (December 23, 2025)
What this game becomes without Luka Doncic
Without Doncic’s scoring, the Lakers lean on LeBron to run the offense and on Ayton to control the paint. The pace slows, possessions matter more, and bench minutes become important. With both teams managing injuries, this game is less about star moments and more about who can get through the night with enough healthy bodies to finish the job.
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