Lakers Star Luka Dončić Suffers Devastating Hamstring Injury

Dončić's season-ending injury could derail the Lakers' playoff hopes and cost him end-of-season awards eligibility.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping shapes in vibrant colors representing the fragmented nature of the player's injury and its impact on the team.Luka Dončić's season-ending hamstring injury leaves the Lakers in a precarious position as they fight for a playoff spot.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić will be out indefinitely after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during a recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury is expected to sideline Dončić for the remainder of the regular season, potentially destroying the Lakers' playoff aspirations and making him ineligible for end-of-season individual awards.

Why it matters

Dončić's injury is a major blow to the Lakers, who have struggled mightily without their superstar on the floor this season. The team's offensive rating plummets by over 6.5 points per 100 possessions when Dončić sits, and they could be in serious trouble if he misses any playoff games. Additionally, the injury puts Dončić's eligibility for MVP, All-NBA, and other major awards in jeopardy due to the league's 65-game minimum requirement.

The details

Dončić suffered the Grade 2 hamstring strain during the Lakers' 139-96 loss to the Thunder on Thursday. While there is no definitive timetable for his return, reports indicate he will miss the rest of the regular season. The NBA's rules state that players must appear in at least 65 games (and play at least 20 minutes in each) to be eligible for end-of-season awards, outside of Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Dončić has played in 64 games this season, so the injury will likely cost him a chance at MVP, All-NBA, and other accolades.

  • Dončić suffered the injury during the Lakers' loss to the Thunder on April 3, 2026.
  • Dončić is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season.

The players

Luka Dončić

A 27-year-old All-NBA forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who is sidelined indefinitely with a devastating hamstring injury.

Shams Charania

An NBA insider and reporter who broke the news of Dončić's injury and expected timeline.

Jeff Stotts

An expert on NBA injuries who provided analysis on the typical recovery timeline for Dončić's type of hamstring strain.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Luka Dončić will be out indefinitely after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during the Los Angeles Lakers' 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

— Shams Charania, NBA Insider

“The average time lost for this type of injury is 35 days. Even if Dončić does not appear in another game for the Lakers this season, it is unlikely that an independent physician would deem that Dončić would miss two months from this hamstring strain.”

— Jeff Stotts, NBA Injury Expert

What’s next

Dončić's representation is expected to file an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to try and regain his eligibility for end-of-season awards, despite falling short of the league's 65-game minimum requirement.

The takeaway

Luka Dončić's devastating hamstring injury is a major blow to the Lakers' playoff hopes and could cost him a chance at individual accolades this season. The team struggles mightily without their superstar, and his absence will be felt if Los Angeles makes the postseason. Dončić's representatives are exploring legal options to try and restore his awards eligibility, but the road ahead appears challenging.