When Luka Doncic went down with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2, it effectively marked the end of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season.
There was hope that Doncic would be able to return in the playoffs, but that ultimately never happened with the team getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. And according to reports, Doncic’s hamstring injury was actually worse than was originally reported at the time, according to Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic:
Doncic didn’t play again after suffering his hamstring injury. While an MRI conducted in Dallas originally showed a Grade 2 lower hamstring strain, further medical evaluation in Spain showed a deeper and more severe hamstring injury, according to a league source.
He’s already begun the same strict offseason diet he undertook to transform his body last summer and is currently pain-free in the hamstring, positive signs for his long-term health.
The expectation is that he won’t be limited in his offseason preparation for next year, the Lakers’ top priority in a good position to lead whatever roster the Lakers put alongside him.
After the Lakers were eliminated, Doncic revealed that he actually wasn’t that close to returning, which would match this reporting that the injury was actually worse than a Grade 2 strain.
Doncic previously said he was given an eight-week timeline when he went to Spain, so he was at least two more weeks away from being able to return to the lineup when the Lakers’ season ended. They would have needed to at least reach the Western Conference Finals for him to have a chance to play.
It’s good to see that the 27-year-old is back on his strict diet and training regimen though as this will be a big offseason for him. Doncic is unquestionably one of the best players in the NBA, but the injuries have started to pile up in recent years and the Lakers will need him to be healthy to get back into championship contention in 2026-27.
Luka Doncic not playing for Slovenia in FIBA qualifiers
Doncic typically represents his country in international play every summer, but he recently announced that he will not play for Slovenia in FIBA World Cup qualifiers this year.
While the injury likely played a role in that, Doncic also said he wants to spend more time with his family this summer as he battles for full custody of his two daughters.
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