Lakers Get Stunning Luka Doncic Update After Spain Treatment Report Is Disputed

The Luka Doncic-starved Los Angeles Lakers prepare to do battle with the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the playoffs this weekend. 

As the Lakers try to rally behind the absence of Doncic, they are hopeful the 27-year-old star point guard can make a sooner-than-expected recovery. Doncic incurred a Grade 2 hamstring strain — an injury that often requires at least a monthlong recovery — just 12 days ago. L.A. plays its opening playoff game in four days.

In less than two weeks Doncic has been sidelined, there has been much speculation over his approach to rehab. Doncic’s trip to Spain to seek specialized treatment on his hamstring has been well-publicized. 

Yesterday, it was reported Doncic has reached the end of overseas treatment and intends to return to the United States this week. From there, Doncic will be evaluated by the Lakers medical team to perhaps determine a targeted return date.

This morning, reports from Spain suggested Doncic’s hamstring injury was more serious than initially believed, but the claim was later disputed, with his camp maintaining the original recovery timeline. 

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Conflicting Luka Doncic Reports Come to Light

For over a week, Doncic has been overseas in an attempt to expedite his Grade 2 hamstring strain recovery. He incurred the injury April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

In that game, Doncic flashed signs of apparent discomfort in his hamstring. Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated he consulted with Doncic and the medical staff whether the star guard should play in the second half. According to Redick, everyone was in cahoots that Doncic could go back in the game.

In the third quarter, Doncic began hobbling while attacking on offense. He immediately dropped the basketball and drifted away from action. He exited to the locker room and did not return to the game. 

With the injury to Doncic coming just over two weeks before the start of the playoffs, the Lakers were put in a rough spot. That’s not to mention the loss of Austin Reaves, who sustained an injury in the same game. 

Fast forward to this morning, a report stated Doncic’s treatment in Spain showed his “hamstring strain was probably worse than initially diagnosed.” 

Later, Iztok Franko on X, the handle that put out the original report, stated in a post “I deleted the Luka injury news, as it turns out the injury update shared on the podcast was not accurate. Luka’s inner circle has since confirmed to @ArenaSport_SI that the original diagnosis and recovery timeline remain unchanged.”

It appears the original report was inaccurate.

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Lakers Still Await Official Word on Doncic

The reality is Doncic is dealing with a no-joke injury. Looking around the league, a Grade 2 hamstring strain has forced star players to miss significant time this season. 

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson first strained his hamstring around midseason, which forced him to miss several weeks. He returned to action and played just three games before reaggravating the injury on April 1.

Thunder star Jalen Williams faced two lengthy shut downs for the same injury. After missing nearly a month, Williams played one game and less than three quarters of the next before re-injuring his hamstring. He went on to miss another month after that. 

Case in point: rushing Doncic back to the court isn’t something worth experimenting with. He means far more to the Lakers beyond this season. Risking further injury could jeopardize his long-term health.

The Lakers hope for a positive Doncic update sometime this week. 

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