Luka Dončić’s calf strain, suffered on Christmas Day, has been the most significant injury of his professional career so far.

The recovery process took more than a month, not only delaying his return but also fuelling doubts about his work ethic and physical conditioning—concerns that ultimately contributed to his departure from the Mavericks.

Within the Texas franchise, there were lingering questions about his commitment to injury prevention, especially after the setback against the Timberwolves in December, which set off a chain of unexpected events.

Doncic’s controversial move to the Lakers

The result was a historic trade, with Anthony Davis as the key piece in return. The move also led to a reduction in Dončić’s financial demands and exposed behind-the-scenes tensions involving Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd. The departure was clouded by allegations that the Mavericks had concealed injuries to protect him—an ugly situation that ultimately paved the way for his arrival in Los Angeles.

The Lakers, meanwhile, rolled out the red carpet, positioning him as the franchise’s future superstar alongside LeBron James, who, at 40, is nearing the end of his legendary career. Before facing the Mavericks for the first time—an emotionally charged matchup—Dončić delivered his first true standout performance as a Laker in Denver, leading his team to a dominant 123-100 victory with a 32-point, 10-assist effort.

Amid the wave of rumors and speculation surrounding his departure from Dallas, the former Real Madrid star has adopted a new mindset. Aware that he must now set an example for both fans and teammates, he used the February break to focus on his fitness.

His return to the court against the Jazz resulted in a win, but his form was lacking. However, the Lakers have helped him regain peak condition as he prepares for the remainder of the season.

Doncic goes through rigorous physical plan

According to Shams Charania (ESPN), Dončić took his All-Star break—which he was not selected for due to injury—to work rigorously on his body, ensuring he can compete at full strength for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

During his 6-7 days off, he trained privately with Scott Brooks, one of J.J. Redick’s assistant coaches at the Lakers. The two rented a gym in Cabo San Lucas, a tourist destination in Baja California, Mexico, where they combined training with a brief escape from the spotlight.

Charania’s sources within the Lakers describe Dončić’s mindset as highly focused—eager to build quick chemistry with teammates, a trait reminiscent of LeBron James, and determined to elevate those around him.

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Original article written by Mike Maestre, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Joe Brennan.