The Los Angeles Lakers remain without an official Luka Doncic injury update or return timeline as they now face a two-game deficit to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their second-round playoff series.
The Lakers, who were previously hopeful about a Doncic return at some point in the postseason, have now seen their chances of getting the star player back dwindle as time goes on, as their season comes ever closer to ending.
Recent injury updates, regardless of what happens in the series against the Thunder, signal that Doncic will not play again this season due to a grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered on April 2.
When Is Luka Doncic Coming Back?
GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Doncic could be out the rest of the season for Los Angeles.
Officially, the Lakers have not offered a Doncic return timeline as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury. Many reported and speculated that he could have come back either in the team’s first round series against the Houston Rockets or this current conference semifinals matchup against Oklahoma City, but those estimations were based on a four-to-six week timeline, which has now been proven to be false, according to Doncic himself.
Speaking to the media before Game 2 of the series, Doncic told reporters that he was given an eight-week return timeline, which dramatically shifts a potential return for the Lakers in the 2026 playoffs.
Additionally, NBA analysts and insiders speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast, when discussing a potential Doncic return, gave a bleak outlook on him playing at all for the rest of the season.
In response to the question, ‘When is Luka Doncic coming back?’ Tim McMahon and Tim Bontemps gave similar answers.
“October,” Bontemps said of when Luka will be back on the court again. “I also understand why he’s saying (the eight-week timeline) now, because (the Lakers) are drawing dead anyway, and he shouldn’t be rushing back and trying to play right now.”
“We’ll see you next season, bud,” McMahon said about a Doncic return. “Training camp.”
Additionally, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that the team won’t upgrade him to available if Doncic himself isn’t ready to return to the court.
“It’s very simple. It’s when he’s ready to play, he should play,” Redick said about Doncic coming back, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “That comes with the athlete having confidence. It’s no different from Austin [Reaves].”
For now, Doncic remains without an official return timeline for the Lakers, as it remains unknown when or if he will come back this season.
Is Luka Doncic Playing Tonight?
No, Doncic is not playing tonight, as he is listed as ‘out’ on the NBA’s official injury report.
He’s held that same status since he first went down with the hamstring injury, and that hasn’t changed since he was sidelined on April 2.
While he has made progress on his recovery, based on that eight-week timeline, Doncic is not very close to making a return for the Lakers in this series against the Thunder.
It’s been all but confirmed that Doncic will miss the entire series against Oklahoma City, and if Los Angeles loses this series, like the rest of the team, he won’t play again this season.
What Are Insiders Saying About A Luka Doncic Injury Return?
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ESPN’s Shams Charania, McMenamin, and Windhorst have all been at the forefront of Doncic injury updates and intel since he went down with the hamstring injury.
Speaking on the Ryen Russillo Show, Windhorst discussed how after Doncic revealed his eight-week return timeline and travels to Spain, he said he knew the injury was worse than initially thought.
“He’s got a really bad injury,” Windhorst said after he caused a bit of controversy with his comments on Doncic traveling to Spain, hinting that the star isn’t close to coming back. “I think it’s a bad injury.”
McMenamin added to that by saying in a recent Reddit AMA (ask me anything) that, based on Doncic’s recent comments, there’s still little hope about a return anytime soon.
“But the timeline is what it is. He told us today that he has started running, but he hasn’t done any contact drills yet. Game 4 would be six weeks since the injury,” he wrote in response to a question about a Doncic injury return. “Is there a chance that he is ready to play by then? Maybe? His body language seemed pretty down today, though. It sounds like he needs more time.”
HeavyDave McMenamin of ESPN on a Luka Doncic Injury Update And Return Timeline in the Lakers vs Thunder Playoff Series
Additionally, reporters like Dan Woike of The Athletic and Khobi Price of the California Post have been providing new updates on Doncic’s injury status, but they paint the same picture that ESPN’s Lakers insiders have been saying for the past month.
“It appears the Lakers will need to extend their season beyond the Western Conference semifinals to get Dončić back on the court,” Woike wrote.
Where Does That Leave The Lakers In Their Series Vs The Thunder
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 05: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Lakers are down 0-2 to the Thunder, and could see that go to 0-3 with Game 3 looming on Saturday night.
Los Angeles has lost its last seven games against Oklahoma City dating back to last season, and has been blown out in a majority of those matchups, including in the current playoff series.
Based on history, the Lakers have a tough road ahead trying to come back down 0-2 against the defending champions. LeBron James is 4-5 when losing the first two games of a playoff series, but playing against this Thunder team without Doncic, that remains a tough task.
They do have two back-to-back games at home, but winning four of the next six against arguably the most dominant team in the past few seasons makes that improbable comeback feel highly unlikely.
With that, the idea of Doncic making an injury return is fleeting, and as time goes on, and the Lakers keep losing, the chances of them getting their star player back continue to decline.
Lakers vs Thunder Game 3 tips off at 5:30 pm PST on Saturday, May 9, and will be live on ABC, a contest that will notably not feature Doncic, as he remains out with his hamstring strain.
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