The mood around the Los Angeles Lakers has started to shift dramatically as concerns grow over Luka Doncic’s injury recovery during the NBA playoffs. What initially appeared to be a short-term setback is now emerging as a serious threat to the Lakers’ hopes in their Western Conference semi-final clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With pressure mounting in the postseason, the Lakers may now have to prepare for the possibility of playing most — if not all — of the series without one of their biggest superstars.
The concern intensified after Doncic shared a significant update regarding his hamstring injury. The Slovenian guard revealed that doctors had initially informed him that the recovery process for his Grade 2 hamstring strain could take nearly eight weeks.
Speaking publicly about the injury for the first time, Doncic admitted the original diagnosis was far from encouraging.
“The moment the day I did the MRI on the hamstring, the doctor told me eight weeks at the beginning,” Doncic said. “I’m doing everything I can in the process, and I think we’re on a good way. But at the beginning, he told me eight weeks.”
That timeline creates a major challenge for the Lakers. Even if the playoff series stretches to a deciding Game 7, it would still fall well short of the projected recovery period.
Although Doncic confirmed that he has resumed running and light on-court workouts, he has not yet been cleared for contact training, raising doubts over a quick return.
Lakers Hoping To Stay Alive Until Doncic Returns
As part of his rehabilitation process, Doncic also travelled to Spain for specialised platelet-rich plasma treatment, a therapy widely used by elite athletes for muscle recovery and healing.
Explaining his decision, Doncic praised Spain’s medical expertise.
“Everybody knows that Spain, they are just one of the best countries to do that,” he said.
Before joining the NBA, Doncic began his professional basketball journey with Spanish giants Real Madrid, giving him familiarity and trust in the country’s sports medicine facilities.
The timing of the injury has been particularly frustrating for both Doncic and the Lakers because Los Angeles had entered the playoffs in outstanding form. The team reportedly went 15-2 during March and looked like one of the strongest contenders in the league before the injury setback.
Reflecting on the team’s momentum, Doncic said:
“I still think that. But we had an amazing month of March. The injury came in the worst moment probably for me. But I think other guys just stepped up really good. But it was very frustrating for me.”
Lakers Missing Doncic’s Massive Impact
Doncic once again delivered elite numbers this season, averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, underlining his importance to the Lakers’ championship ambitions.
However, being forced to watch playoff basketball from the sidelines has clearly taken a mental toll on the star guard as well.
With the Thunder continuing to build momentum in the series, the Lakers now face a difficult challenge — surviving long enough for Doncic to potentially return before their playoff dreams disappear.