When Will Luka Doncic Return to Lakers? JJ Redick Talks Timeline for Star's Return

Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Dončić did not play in his team's 123-120 road win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday due to personal reasons, and he will also miss his team's road matchup at the Boston Celtics on Friday as well.

However, per L.A. head coach JJ Redick to reporters on Friday, Dončić should be back with the team soon, perhaps as early as the Lakers' next matchup, a road game at the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Dončić is dominating this season with 35.3 points, 8.9 assists, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game for the 16-5 Lakers, who are second in the Western Conference.

Per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops, Dončić briefly left the team to go back to his home country of Slovenia for the birth of his second child with fiancée Anamaria Goltes.

In the meantime, the Lakers won a great road game over the Toronto Raptors, 123-120, on Thursday. Austin Reaves led the way with 44 points and 11 assists, and LeBron James found Rui Hachimura in the corner for the game-winning three with no time left.

James, unfortunately, is out Friday at Boston with right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis, so the Lakers are fairly shorthanded.

Thankfully, it appears Dončić could be back soon, although the Lakers have impressively fared well even without him this year, going 4-1. That's a testament to the team's depth this year as the Lakers look primed for a potential deep playoff run.

The Lakers will certainly welcome Dončić back with open arms, of course. If he doesn't make it in time for the 76ers game, then his next chance to play will be Wednesday at home against the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup.