Luka Doncic suffers hamstring injury in Lakers blowout loss

The All-Star guard went down with a Grade 2 strain in the third quarter against the Thunder.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:18pm

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Luka Doncic was having a dominant performance for the Lakers before suffering a serious hamstring injury in the third quarter of their blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic was on the floor in obvious pain, with his hands covering his face, after going down with the non-contact injury that will likely sideline him for several weeks.

Why it matters

Doncic was playing at an MVP level and the Lakers were surging in the Western Conference playoff race. This injury is a major setback for both Doncic and the Lakers, who will now have to find a way to stay competitive without their superstar for an extended period.

The details

Midway through the third quarter, Doncic pulled up while running down the court and immediately grabbed at his hamstring. He had to be helped off the court by trainers. An MRI later revealed a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which typically requires 4-6 weeks of recovery time.

  • The injury occurred in the third quarter of the Lakers' game against the Thunder on April 4, 2026.
  • Doncic is expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to the Grade 2 hamstring strain.

The players

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' All-Star guard who was having an MVP-caliber season before suffering the hamstring injury.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Lakers' opponent on the night Doncic suffered the injury, handing them a blowout 139-96 defeat.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a gut punch. Luka was playing so well and we were starting to really click as a team. Now we have to find a way to keep this season going without him for a while.”

— LeBron James, Lakers forward

What’s next

The Lakers will have to find a way to stay competitive in the Western Conference playoff race without their star player for the next 4-6 weeks as Doncic recovers from the hamstring injury.

The takeaway

This injury is a major blow to Doncic's MVP chances and the Lakers' playoff aspirations. It highlights the fragility of star players and the importance of depth, as the Lakers will now have to rely on their supporting cast to keep the team afloat until Doncic can return.