Lakers' Luka Doncic Returns to LA After Injury Rehab in Spain

The star player is back in Los Angeles ahead of the team's playoff opener against the Houston Rockets.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's movements on the court, with sharp, overlapping planes of purple and gold colors representing the Lakers' uniforms.Doncic's return to Los Angeles injects hope, but his playoff availability remains uncertain as the Lakers face a tough first-round matchup.Manhattan Beach Today

Luka Doncic, the star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, has returned to Los Angeles after spending two weeks in Spain rehabbing a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Doncic flew to Madrid to receive stem cell-based therapy under the care of a sports doctor connected to Real Madrid. He also took a brief trip to Ljubljana to visit his two daughters before returning to Madrid for additional treatment. Doncic was spotted arriving at his Manhattan Beach residence on April 17, just a day before the Lakers' playoff opener against the Houston Rockets.

Why it matters

Doncic's return to Los Angeles is a positive sign, but it does not necessarily mean he will be available to play in the playoffs. A typical Grade 2 hamstring strain takes 4-6 weeks to heal, and the Lakers' medical staff will need to reevaluate him to determine the status of his recovery. Without Doncic and fellow injured player Austin Reaves, the Lakers will need to rely heavily on LeBron James and the rest of the roster to compete against the Rockets in the first round.

The details

After nearly two weeks of rehab in Spain, Luka Doncic arrived back in Los Angeles on April 17, about 24 hours before the Lakers' playoff opener against the Houston Rockets. Doncic had been receiving stem cell-based therapy on his injured hamstring under the care of a sports doctor connected to Real Madrid. He also took a brief trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia to visit his two daughters before returning to Madrid for additional treatment. Doncic was spotted arriving at his Manhattan Beach residence around 5:30 pm on Friday, and about an hour later, he left on an e-bike with his father.

  • Doncic returned to Los Angeles on April 17, 2026.
  • The Lakers' playoff opener against the Houston Rockets is on April 18, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who has been rehabbing a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Spain.

LeBron James

The veteran leader of the Los Angeles Lakers who will need to carry a heavier load with Doncic and Austin Reaves out indefinitely.

Austin Reaves

Another Lakers player who is out indefinitely with an injury, along with Doncic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“After nearly two weeks in Europe, the prodigal son has returned. Luka Doncic returned to Los Angeles on Friday on the eve of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Rockets.”

— Michael Duarte, Writer, The California Post

“By Friday afternoon, that journey ended where it matters most — home. The California Post spotted Doncic arriving at his Manhattan Beach residence about 5:30 p.m. The Pacific breeze replacing European air, with the playoffs now less than 24 hours away. About an hour after arriving home, Doncic left on an e-bike with his father.”

— Michael Duarte, Writer, The California Post

“Both Doncic and Austin Reaves are out indefinitely, with no update expected this week. Game 1 against Houston is Saturday, and neither will be available.”

— JJ Redick, NBA Analyst

What’s next

The Lakers' medical staff will reevaluate Doncic upon his return to Los Angeles to determine the status of his recovery and whether he will be able to play at any point during the first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

The takeaway

Doncic's return to Los Angeles is a positive sign, but his availability for the playoffs remains uncertain. The Lakers will need to rely heavily on LeBron James and the rest of the roster to compete against the Rockets without their two best players. The team's medical assessment of Doncic's injury in the coming days will provide a clearer picture of his potential return timeline.