The Los Angeles Lakers will once again be without Luka Doncic for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic has been sidelined for the entire NBA playoffs so far with little signs of this changing.
For the first time since Doncic’s injury, a specific timeline was revealed as the Lakers star noted that he was initially told the hamstring issue would sideline him for eight weeks. Doncic last played on April 2, 2026, which would put the Lakers star’s projected return date around June 2.
Doncic made it clear that he is pushing to expedite this timeline, but the Lakers star revealed he has yet to practice with contact.
“Yeah, I’m running. Right now I’m running, but I haven’t done any contact,” Doncic told reporters on May 7. “… The day I did the MRI on the hamstring, you know, the doctor told me eight weeks at the beginning.
“So, I’m doing everything I can in the process. I think we’re on a good way. But at the beginning he told me eight weeks.”
Here’s what you need to know about Doncic’s injury.
Luka Doncic Is Expected to Miss the Entire Second Round of Lakers-Thunder Series: Insider
The Lakers are facing a tall task of trying to upset the Thunder with Doncic out, especially with the team already down 1-0 in the series. ESPN’s Shams Charania previously reported during the Lakers-Rockets first round series that Doncic was expected to miss the entire second round.
“I’m told right now Luka Doncic will be out to start this series against the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Charania explained in a May 3, episode of “NBA Tip-Off.” “The Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week to week basis with that grade two hamstring strength.
“So he’s missed about a month right now. One source told me in the last few days it’s still a slow path on Doncic’s recovery. He’s doing more and more on the court, but right now still not full-fledged running or full contact workouts.”
Will Luka Doncic Play in Game 3 of the Lakers-Thunder Series?
Doncic was asked by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin about his potential availability in Game 3 and Game 4 as the series moves back to Los Angeles. The star once again pointed to the eight-week timeline and did not reveal if this return prognosis has been updated.
“I’m just doing everything I can, like I said,” Doncic explained. “Every day I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do.
“You know, obviously recovering, now I’m working (out). But as the doctor said, eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. So, you know, just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”
Luka Doncic May Need the Lakers to Make the Western Conference Finals to Play Again This Season
It is not the news that Lakers fans want to hear, but all signs point to Doncic needing the team to advance to the Western Conference Finals to have a chance of playing again this season. Here is how Charania described his status during the Rockets-Lakers series.
“My understanding is it is a slow path on the recovery front for Luka,” Charania noted during an April 28, edition of “SportsCenter.” “The expectation is if the Lakers are able to beat Houston and advance, Luka Doncic will be out for the next series.
“There’s still no timetable for him as of right now. He’s starting to do more court movement as JJ Redick said the other day, but he is not at the point where he’s progressing in his on-court workouts as far as one-on-ones and truly pushing it on a movement front.”
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