Lakers' Luka Doncic Returns to LA After Europe Treatment

Doncic spent two weeks in Europe receiving treatment on his hamstring injury before returning home ahead of the playoffs.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:26am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's return to the court after an injury, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the multifaceted nature of the player's recovery process.Luka Doncic's return to Los Angeles after receiving specialized treatment in Europe for his hamstring injury represents a pivotal moment for the Lakers' playoff hopes.Los Angeles Today

Luka Doncic, the star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, returned to his home in Manhattan Beach, California on Friday after spending nearly two weeks in Europe receiving treatment on a hamstring injury he suffered earlier this month. Doncic traveled to Spain and Slovenia for the treatment, which he hopes will expedite his recovery and allow him to return to the court for the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

Why it matters

Doncic's health is crucial for the Lakers' playoff hopes, as he is one of the team's best players. His absence could significantly impact their chances of advancing in the postseason. The Lakers will need Doncic back on the court as soon as possible to have the best chance of success.

The details

Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 while playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After receiving initial imaging in Dallas, he traveled to Spain to receive specialized treatment on the injury. He then spent a weekend in Slovenia with his family before returning to Spain for further treatment. On Thursday, Doncic was spotted sitting courtside at a Real Madrid Baloncesto game alongside tennis star Novak Djokovic.

  • Doncic suffered the hamstring injury on April 2.
  • Doncic traveled to Spain for treatment after the injury.
  • Doncic spent a weekend in Slovenia with his family.
  • Doncic returned to Spain for further treatment.
  • Doncic arrived back in Los Angeles on Friday, April 18.

The players

Luka Doncic

The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who suffered a hamstring injury and traveled to Europe for specialized treatment.

Novak Djokovic

A professional tennis player who was spotted sitting courtside with Doncic at a Real Madrid Baloncesto game in Spain.

Austin Reaves

A Lakers player who was also ruled out for Game 1 of the playoff series against the Rockets.

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What’s next

The Lakers will play the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday, April 19. Doncic is expected to be on the bench for the game, but his status for future games in the series remains uncertain as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury.

The takeaway

Doncic's return to Los Angeles is a positive sign for the Lakers, but his health and availability will be a major factor in determining their success in the playoffs. The team will need to carefully manage his recovery to ensure he is able to contribute at a high level when he does return to the court.