On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will be in Florida to take on the Miami Heat.
The Lakers most recently beat the Houston Rockets (in Texas) by a score of 124-116.
Luka Doncic finished the victory with an incredible 40 points, nine rebounds, ten assists and one steal while shooting 12/25 from the field and 7/17 from three-point range in 38 minutes of playing time.
Lakers Announce Final Luke Doncic Status For Heat Game
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
The Lakers have now announced that Doncic has been upgraded to available for Thursday’s showdown with Miami.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote: “JJ Redick says LeBron James and Luka Doncic will play tonight in Miami. Austin Reaves remains a gametime decision.”
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Doncic comes into the night with outstanding averages of 33.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 47.5% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range in 57 games.
FS1’s Nick Wright wrote: “With 4 weeks left… Here’s where I think the NBA MVP race sits:
1- SGA 2- Luka 3- Wemby 4- Jokic 5- Cade
Luka vs Wemby is thisclose and could flip multiple times over last month. But SGA is going to (and deserves to) win, and Luka has clearly played his way into the Top 3.”
1- SGA 2- Luka 3- Wemby 4- Jokic 5- Cade
Luka vs Wemby is thisclose and could flip multiple times over last month. But SGA is going to (and deserves to) win, and Luka has clearly played his way into the Top 3.
Lakers On A Roll
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Lakers are coming off two straight victories over Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in Texas.
They have won nine out of their last ten games (and seven in a row).
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers motions towards Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
With their current hot streak, the Lakers are now 44-25 in 69 games, which has them as the third seed in the Western Conference.
After the Heat, Doncic and the Lakers will remain on the road to visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
Heat Before Lakers Battle In Miami
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 06: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat embrace on the court after their game at Kaseya Center on November 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Heat are currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 38-31 record in 69 games.
They are in the middle of a two-game losing streak (but have still won seven out of their last ten).
BREAKING: Luka Doncic’s Final Injury Status Announced For Lakers-Heat Game