Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

As the dust settles following another wild NBA trade deadline week, all eyes are now on the old faces that have settled in new places as the push for the playoffs begins. But no debut has as much built-up anticipation as that of new Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić.

As the Lakers transition to a new stage of the franchise's future, Doncic has been nursing a calf injury that's kept him sidelined since Dec. 25, 2024. According to Tony East, the Lakers have officially ruled out Doncic for the team's matchup against the Pacers.