Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which is brutal news for a Los Angeles Lakers team that was tracking to be a legitimate playoff threat.
Doncic has dealt with a nagging hamstring issue throughout the season, but the timing of this injury couldn’t have come at worse time given the stakes. However, he is aggressively pursuing rehab options and is currently in Europe seeking specialized treatment.
Head coach JJ Redick confirmed Doncic is in Spain and is doing everything he can to return as soon as possible.
“I’m not gonna share how long he’s going to be over there, but I think he’s in good spirits,” Redick said before Tuesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “I think he’s, in my conversations with him, he’s motivated to do everything possible. I know for him, it’s hard for him not to be on a basketball court.
“That’s his happy place. He’s one of the handful of guys that really play year round, and it’s not just international competition, but he likes to be in the gym. He likes to be working on his craft and I think it’s hard for him. He wants to get back on the court.”
Doncic’s efforts to return to the Lakers are admirable and speak to his dedication to the fans and organization, but this could end up being all for naught considering the timeline. The postseason is set for next weekend, which would give Doncic minimal time to make a return during the first round.
Even if Los Angeles somehow advances, there’s no guarantee that Doncic will be able to return as there is little information available on the effectiveness of the treatments he’ll reportedly undergo. It’s a tough reality for Doncic and the purple and gold, but unfortunately that’s just how it works out sometimes.
Magic Johnson devastated by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injuries
Losing both Doncic and Reaves at the same time is essentially a death knell for the Lakers and their playoff chances. For a moment, it seemed like Los Angeles could breakthrough into the title contender tier but without Doncic and Reaves their chances of going far in the playoffs are basically moot.
Fans like Magic Johnson have to feel like they were robbed of a chance to see the Lakers compete in the playoffs. Johnson may not have an official role with the franchise any more, but he was still devastated when the injury news broke regarding Doncic and Reaves.
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