The occasion also featured Djokovic, a longtime admirer of Doncic, who accompanied him in Madrid. Djokovic has affectionately nicknamed Doncic “Zvezda” and has publicly praised the Lakers star as a G.O.A.T. of tennis, underscoring the crossover moment between basketball and tennis in the Spanish capital.
Doncic’s appearance comes as he undergoes treatment for the hamstring injury under the guidance of Real Madrid team doctor Javier Barrio. Separately, he was granted an Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge by the NBA, which allows him to be eligible for end-of-season honors such as MVP and All-NBA.
On X, Doncic expressed gratitude for the NBPA and NBA for supporting his case, noting the importance of being able to travel for personal reasons. He cited the birth of his daughter in December and thanked the Lakers organization for supporting him as he navigates the season-ending stretch.
He is 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. The timing keeps his availability for the opening playoff games in question.
There remains uncertainty about his clearance for the playoffs. Reports indicate the Lakers are operating under the assumption that Doncic and Austin Reaves may not return in the first round, though a potential return later in the series has not been ruled out if the series extends.
With Doncic sidelined for now, the Lakers face a postseason path without their star as he continues treatment in Madrid. The league’s playoff picture remains in flux as Los Angeles prepares for a challenging series against Houston.
