Mavs Star Doncic Faces Lengthy Hamstring Rehab

Injury timeline raises concerns about Doncic's return to the court this season.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:00pm

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Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is facing a longer-than-expected recovery timeline for the hamstring injury he suffered last week, according to the team's medical staff. The initial prognosis had Doncic sidelined for 2-3 weeks, but further evaluation by a German sports medicine specialist has revealed the injury is more severe, potentially keeping the All-NBA guard out for 2-3 months.

Why it matters

Doncic's absence is a major blow to the Mavericks' playoff hopes, as he is the team's leading scorer and playmaker. The extended timeline raises concerns about whether Doncic will be able to return at all this season, potentially derailing the Mavs' postseason aspirations.

The details

After further testing and consultation with a renowned German sports medicine specialist, the Mavericks' medical team determined that Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain, a more serious injury than the initial diagnosis. This type of strain typically requires 8-12 weeks of rehabilitation before the player can safely return to game action.

  • Doncic suffered the injury during the Mavericks' loss to the Lakers on April 2.
  • The initial prognosis had Doncic sidelined for 2-3 weeks.
  • The updated timeline from the German specialist projects a 2-3 month recovery period.

The players

Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks' 24-year-old All-NBA guard and team leader, who is now facing a lengthy rehabilitation for a severe hamstring injury.

Dallas Mavericks

The NBA team that Luka Doncic plays for, whose playoff hopes have been dealt a major blow by Doncic's extended injury timeline.

Los Angeles Lakers

The team the Mavericks were playing when Doncic suffered his hamstring injury.

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What they’re saying

“This is a significant setback for Luka and the Mavericks. We were hoping for a quicker recovery, but the latest evaluation shows the injury is more serious than initially thought.”

— Rick Carlisle, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

What’s next

The Mavericks will need to rely on secondary scoring options like Kyrie Irving and Christian Wood to keep the team afloat in Doncic's absence. The team's medical staff will closely monitor Doncic's rehabilitation progress, with the goal of having him return to the court sometime in late May or early June if the Mavericks can maintain a playoff position.

The takeaway

Doncic's hamstring injury is a major setback for the Mavericks, who will have to find a way to stay competitive in the Western Conference playoff race without their superstar player for an extended period. The team's depth and ability to adapt will be tested, and Doncic's recovery timeline will be closely watched as the Mavericks fight to keep their postseason hopes alive.