Lakers Breathe Sigh of Relief After Luka Doncic Injury News

Doncic traveled with the team to Dallas, easing concerns about the severity of his hamstring injury.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:38pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic motion of a basketball player, with sharp planes of color and form obscuring the player's identity to focus on the raw energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a star player's injury highlights the fragility of a team's championship aspirations.Oklahoma City Today

The Los Angeles Lakers feared the worst when star point guard Luka Doncic sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the team received an encouraging sign as Doncic traveled with the Lakers to Dallas, where they play the Mavericks on Sunday. The Lakers are awaiting the results of Doncic's MRI scan, which will determine the severity of the injury and how much time he may miss.

Why it matters

Losing Doncic for an extended period would be a major blow to the Lakers' playoff hopes, as they are narrowly holding on to the third seed in the Western Conference. The team has already been without guard Marcus Smart, and Doncic's absence could make it much harder for the Lakers to maintain their position in the standings.

The details

Doncic sustained what the team is calling a hamstring strain in the third quarter of Thursday's loss to the Thunder. The injury occurred while Doncic was being guarded by Thunder wingman Jalen Williams, who has faced lengthy shutdowns this season due to a hamstring injury. The Lakers are hoping Doncic's injury is not as severe, and the fact that he traveled with the team to Dallas is an encouraging sign.

  • Doncic sustained the hamstring injury during the third quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Thunder on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The Lakers play the Mavericks in Dallas on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • The NBA playoffs are set to begin on April 18, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

The star point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jalen Williams

A wingman for the Oklahoma City Thunder who was guarding Doncic when the Lakers star sustained his hamstring injury.

Marcus Smart

A guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who has been out of the lineup for several games due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“Luka Doncic traveled with the Lakers to Dallas...I'm not gonna report on the results before I have them. Depending on the severity this can be measured potentially in weeks. The whole league is waiting on this specifically in the western conference”

— Shams Charania, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Lakers are expecting to receive the results of Luka Doncic's MRI scan on his injured hamstring later today or tomorrow. The team's playoff positioning and championship aspirations could hinge on the severity of the injury and how much time Doncic may need to recover.

The takeaway

This injury scare for the Lakers highlights the fragility of their playoff position and the importance of Luka Doncic to their championship hopes. Even a short-term absence for Doncic could make it much harder for the Lakers to maintain their standing in the competitive Western Conference. The team and its fans will be anxiously awaiting the results of the MRI to determine the next steps.