Lakers' Luka Doncic Seeking European Treatment for Hamstring Injury

Doncic hopes to expedite return from Grade 2 strain, but timeline remains uncertain.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:18am

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Lakers star Luka Doncic will seek specialized medical treatment in Europe for his left hamstring strain, his agent announced. Doncic suffered the Grade 2 injury during the team's loss to the Mavericks on Thursday, and is expected to miss 3-6 weeks of action. The Lakers have not provided a timeline for his return, but a 35-day average recovery period could keep Doncic out for the entire first round of the playoffs.

Why it matters

Doncic's injury is a significant blow to the Lakers' playoff hopes, as he is the team's leading scorer and playmaker. The team will have to find a way to compete without their star player for an extended period.

The details

Doncic suffered the hamstring injury in the third quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday. An MRI on Friday revealed a Grade 2 strain, which typically requires 3-6 weeks of recovery time. Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy, announced that the player will seek specialized treatment in Europe in an effort to expedite his return to the court.

  • Doncic suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday, April 6.
  • An MRI on Friday, April 7, revealed a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
  • Three weeks from the date of the injury would be around April 23, which would be during the Lakers' first-round playoff series.
  • The average recovery time for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is about 35 days, which could keep Doncic out for the entire first-round playoff series.

The players

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' star player who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will seek specialized treatment in Europe in an effort to return to the court quicker.

Bill Duffy

Doncic's agent, who announced that the player will seek treatment in Europe for his hamstring injury.

JJ Redick

The Lakers' head coach, who discussed the team's approach to managing Doncic and Austin Reaves' workloads and injuries.

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What they’re saying

“I just know that he's gonna do everything he can to try to be back.”

— JJ Redick, Lakers Head Coach

“As a coach, you go on the information you have. [Reaves] was medically cleared. When Austin came back, I asked directly, I thought he was hurt. [I was told], 'No, he's medically cleared.' The group wanted to go for it in the second half.”

— JJ Redick, Lakers Head Coach

What’s next

The Lakers will have to compete in the playoffs without Doncic for an extended period, and the team's medical staff will continue to monitor his recovery progress. The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Doncic's injury is a significant setback for the Lakers' playoff aspirations, as he is their leading scorer and playmaker. The team will have to find a way to win without their star player for an extended period, which could include the entire first round of the playoffs depending on the recovery timeline.