Lakers' Doncic Suffers Hamstring Injury After Playing Through Pain

Coach JJ Redick explains decision to keep star on court despite visible discomfort

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:19am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the dynamic energy and tension of the match.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and drama of the Lakers-Thunder matchup, where star player Luka Dončić's injury raised concerns about the team's handling of player health.Oklahoma City Today

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić appeared to be grabbing his hamstring before the start of the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, but he proceeded to play in the third quarter. Dončić then suffered a left hamstring injury that forced him to exit the game.

Why it matters

Dončić is a key player for the Lakers, and any significant injury could have major implications for the team's playoff hopes. The decision to keep him in the game despite visible signs of discomfort has raised questions about the team's handling of player health and safety.

The details

After the game, head coach JJ Redick explained that the coaching staff had checked out Dončić and cleared him to play in the second half. Redick said they considered keeping both Dončić and Austin Reaves out of the game at halftime, but decided to give them about six minutes to try and cut into the Thunder's lead before pulling them if necessary. However, Dončić's injury occurred around that time.

  • Dončić appeared to be grabbing his hamstring before the start of the second half.
  • Dončić proceeded to play in the third quarter.
  • Dončić then suffered a left hamstring injury that forced him to exit the game.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who suffered a left hamstring injury during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who explained the decision to keep Dončić in the game despite his visible discomfort.

Austin Reaves

A Lakers player who was also considered for being kept out of the game at halftime due to taking some blows in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“We checked him out. He got work done, but he was cleared. We're not gonna put a player at risk. Those things happen.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

“It was discussed at halftime. Thought we'd give those guys about six minutes and if we didn't cut into the lead, we were gonna pull them. Obviously, it was around that time, I don't remember the exact time, [the injury] happened.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

What’s next

The Lakers will need to further evaluate the extent of Dončić's hamstring injury and determine a timeline for his return. The team's playoff positioning could be significantly impacted by how long he is sidelined.

The takeaway

This incident raises concerns about the Lakers' handling of player health and safety, particularly with a star player like Dončić. The team will need to carefully examine their protocols and decision-making process to ensure they are prioritizing the long-term wellbeing of their players.