Lakers' Doncic to Seek Hamstring Treatment in Europe, Aims for Playoffs

The star guard will miss the remainder of the regular season but hopes to return for the postseason.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:12pm

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic will undergo treatment on his injured left hamstring in Europe in an effort to expedite recovery. Doncic, who has been ruled out for the regular season, sustained the Grade 2 hamstring strain during a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last week. The Slovenian was playing at an MVP level in March before the injury, and the Lakers are hoping he can return for the playoffs, which begin on April 18.

Why it matters

Doncic's injury is a major blow to the Lakers' playoff hopes, as he has been the team's leading scorer this season. The Lakers are currently tied for third place in the Western Conference standings, and Doncic's return could be crucial in their push for a deep postseason run.

The details

Doncic flew to Europe on Sunday to begin the treatment for his Grade 2 hamstring strain. Grade 2 strains typically require around a month of recovery time, putting Doncic's potential return around the start of the playoffs. The Lakers did not provide a specific timeline for his return when announcing the injury. In Doncic's absence, the Lakers will rely more heavily on LeBron James and other role players to maintain their position in the standings.

  • Doncic sustained the injury during a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 6.
  • The NBA playoffs will begin on April 18.
  • The NBA Finals are scheduled to tip off on June 3.

The players

Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers star guard who is currently sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

LeBron James

The veteran Lakers forward who will need to shoulder more of the scoring load in Doncic's absence.

Austin Reaves

The Lakers guard who will also miss the remainder of the regular season due to a Grade 2 left oblique injury.

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What’s next

Doncic will undergo treatment on his hamstring in Europe in an effort to return for the playoffs, which begin on April 18. The Lakers will need to maintain their position in the standings without their star player during the regular season.

The takeaway

Doncic's injury is a significant setback for the Lakers, who were surging in March behind the Slovenian's MVP-caliber play. However, the team's playoff hopes remain alive if Doncic can return in time for the postseason, providing a much-needed boost to their title aspirations.