While it remains uncertain when or if Luka Doncic will return for the Los Angeles Lakers either in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets or at all this year, the star still doesn’t have an exact injury recovery timeline for getting back on the court.
According to multiple insiders, Doncic is expected to rejoin the Lakers later in the week. That reporting comes amid back-and-forth rumors on the Slovenian superstar having a setback in his recovery, which now appear to be false.
Still, based on the expected recovery for the grade two hamstring injury Doncic suffered and the high potential for re-aggravating that same injury, the Lakers were urged to make a bold decision about the franchise star, as it relates to him playing in the playoffs against the Rockets.
Lakers Get Harsh Warning On Luka Doncic Return Amid New Injury Update
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Shams Charania and Marc Stein reported that Doncic is expected to be back in Los Angeles on Friday, the day before the Lakers vs Rockets series begins.
While it remains to be seen when, or if the star will play again this season, there is the notion that if the Lakers can extend the series to five or six games, he will get back on the court.
However, according to Kendrick Perkins, speaking on his podcast, the Lakers should be extremely cautious, and even potentially rule out Doncic for the rest of the year, based on his injury and the team’s limited chances of making a deep playoff run.
“If Luka Doncic comes back, he’s not going to be 100%. That’s the bad thing about it. When you talk about these soft tissue injuries—hamstring, calves—you got to take a long time. And you’re talking about coming back at the highest level,” he said on the Road Trippin Show. “Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Lakers are a first-round exit. Let’s be honest—they’re a first-round exit. Seriously. They had a second-round ceiling with everybody healthy. But now, dealing with the injuries… I’m not about to do that.”
Without Doncic and Austin Reaves, a Lakers team led by LeBron James is not predicted to beat the Rockets. Getting the Slovenian superstar back could change things, but with his injury, Doncic coming back at any point in the series doesn’t guarantee the Lakers will advance past the first round.
When Is Luka Doncic Coming Back For The Lakers? Latest After New Injury Update Before Playoffs
Based on other NBA players who have suffered a grade two hamstring strain like Doncic, the typical return timeline is a few weeks up to 40 days, with a high chance of re-injury.
Doncic was never given an official timeline for a return, and while he did go to Spain to speed up his recovery, it doesn’t mean he will get back on the court for the Lakers this season.
Still, regardless of what the timelines say, Doncic reportedly wants to get back from his injury and help the Lakers advance in the playoffs.
Previously, Charania reported that Doncic would be back in Los Angeles and be re-evaluated on Tuesday, but that now appears to be pushed back to Friday, the day before the Lakers vs Rockets first-round series begins.
Most recently, there was a report that ‘treatment in Spain showed Luka’s hamstring strain was probably worse than initially diagnosed.’ However, that report was proven wrong, and according to Doncic’s camp, he remains on the same recovery timeline.
“I deleted the Luka injury news, as it turns out the injury update shared on the podcast was not accurate,” Iztok Franko wrote on X. “Luka’s inner circle has since confirmed to @ArenaSport_SI that the original diagnosis and recovery timeline remain unchanged.”
Regardless of where the news is coming from, any confirmation on Doncic’s injury status appears to be clouded for the time being.
Head coach JJ Redick has said the Lakers want to extend their season to get both him and Reaves back on the court, but for now, any potential for an injury return for both is yet to be determined.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Sent Harsh Warning After New Luka Doncic Injury Update On Playoff Return appeared first on Heavy Sports.