The Western Conference playoffs could see a real shakeup this season. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury this week, which will end his regular-season run.
After seeing the court for 25 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, Doncic was scheduled for an MRI and landed a concerning Grade 2 hamstring strain diagnosis.
As The Athletic’s Law Murray pointed out, it’s the same concern that Denver Nuggets veteran Peyton Watson has dealt with throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season.
The Comparison Is Concerning For The Lakers
GettyLos Angeles, CA – March 27: Lakers guard Luka Doncic, #77, reacts to a referee’s call in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Friday, March 27, 2026. For the second time in less than a week, Luka Doncic faces a one-game suspension because of technical foul accumulation. Doncic finished with 41 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the win.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
via Law Murray, The Athletic: “Peyton Watson had a grade 2 hamstring. Missed 46 days. Came back recently and is dealing with a week-to-week setback. A similar timetable would put Doncic out through the first two rounds of the playoffs.”
All players heal differently, especially when it comes to soft-tissue concerns. However, the comparison could still be an alarming factor for the Lakers, as they gear up for a critical 2026 playoff run.
Watson was diagnosed with his setback after the Nuggets’ February 4 game against the New York Knicks.
After that, he missed 19 games in a row. Although Watson returned on March 22 to take on the Portland Trail Blazers, he checked in off the bench for just under 20 minutes. In the following game, Watson sat out.
Just as the Nuggets started ramping Watson back up, giving him his first start in months against the Golden State Warriors, he couldn’t get through 10 minutes in the following game against the Utah Jazz. Nine minutes in, and Watson was out again. He’s now considered week-to-week.
The Luka Injury Shakes Up The West
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the fourth quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Beyond the question of when the Lakers will get Doncic back, there’s a question about whether the Nuggets can jump LA in the standings now.
The Lakers left Thursday’s action with a 50-27 record. They are 1.0 games ahead of the Nuggets, holding the third seed.
LA has just five games left, beginning with a Sunday matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will be back on the court for a clash with the San Antonio Spurs on April 4. That will be the first of their final five.
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