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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after a basket against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Slovenian guard Luka Doncic received a rousing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Movistar Arena on Thursday, the same venue where the Los Angeles Lakers star spent his formative years as a pro, from ages 13 to 19.

The Lakers guard returned to his old stomping grounds alongside his idol, Novak Djokovic, to watch Real Madrid vs. Crvena zvezda in the 38th round of the EuroLeague. Djokovic, who routinely visits Doncic in the United States, affectionately refers to the six-time All-Star as his “Zvezda” — a Slavic reference for “star.” Doncic has also spoken highly of Djokovic, calling the Serbian the G.O.A.T. of tennis.

While Doncic is in Madrid seeking treatment for his strained hamstring from Javier Barrio, a sports doctor at Real Madrid, Djokovic is in the Spanish capital ahead of the Madrid Masters, an event he has won on three occasions.

Luka Doncic Injury Update

Doncic took the trip to watch his former club in action just hours after the NBA approved his Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge, making him eligible for end-of-season awards such as MVP and All-NBA honors.

Doncic took to X on Thursday to applaud the NBA for doing right by him.

“I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision,” wrote Doncic, who is expected to make his sixth career All-NBA First Team.

“It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there.”

Doncic is reportedly slated to return to Los Angeles on Friday, a day before the Lakers host the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Lakers Begin Playoffs Without Luka

Per Slovenian outlet Ekipa, Doncic underwent the first round of cell-based therapy last week and then took a quick trip to Ljubljana to visit his two daughters. He reportedly returned to Madrid this week for a second round of treatment.

There’s still uncertainty about whether Doncic will be cleared in time for the Lakers vs. Rockets series, which will conclude with a Game 7 (if necessary) on May 3.

While a source close to Doncic is reportedly “optimistic” about a potential return in Game 4 or 5, JJ Redick has declined to offer a timeline for his best player’s return. Furthermore, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on Thursday that the Lakers are operating under the assumption that neither Doncic nor Austin Reaves (oblique injury) will return at any point during the first-round series against the Rockets.

“And as they prepare for it, sources told ESPN they have no expectation of having either Doncic or Reaves back at any point in the first round,” McMenamin wrote.

“But they also have not completely ruled out the possibility of one or both of them becoming available the longer the series lasts.”

Game 1 of the Lakers vs. Rockets series tips off at 5:30 p.m. PT on Saturday.