Luka Dončić will celebrate his 26th birthday tonight while leading the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 PM ET on ABC.
The Lakers (34-24) are seeking to end a three-game losing streak, while the Warriors (31-28) have lost nine of their last 15 games. The teams have split their two previous matchups this season. Dončić, who recently returned from a brief hamstring strain, is cleared to play without restrictions and will start alongside LeBron James.
Dončić has averaged 31.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in two career games against the Warriors while playing for the Lakers, according to StatMuse. His return provides stability to the Lakers’ attack, offering ball-handling, playmaking, and consistent scoring.
The Lakers will be near full strength, with LeBron James and Austin Reaves also available. Rui Hachimura is listed as doubtful due to illness, while Bronny James and Adou Thiero are both on G League assignment. The Lakers’ main rotation is expected to include Dončić, James, Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Miami Heat defeated the Houston Rockets 115-105, with seven players scoring in double figures. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Kevin Durant paced the Rockets with 32 points, five rebounds, and eight assists.
The Charlotte Hornets continued their strong recent form with a 109-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, securing their 13th win in the last 16 games. Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 26 points, and LaMelo Ball contributed 15 points and eight assists. Jrue Holiday topped the scoring for Portland with 25 points.
The Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards are currently underway, with Toronto looking to capitalize on its fifth-place ranking in the Eastern Conference (34-25) against a Wizards team that sits 13th (16-42). Toronto has won 36 of its last 47 matchups against Washington over the past 13 years.