Luka Doncic Injury Update Raises Concern for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers may be facing a worst-case scenario with Luka Doncic.

Following his early exit in Thursday’s 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a new injury timeline suggests the Lakers star could miss the remainder of the regular season — a development that could significantly impact both their playoff outlook and Doncic’s MVP candidacy.

Doncic was ruled out with a strained left hamstring after appearing to tweak the injury late in the first half before aggravating it midway through the third quarter. He left the game with 7:39 remaining in the period after planting his left leg while dribbling, doubling over in visible pain before walking off the court gingerly.

Head coach JJ Redick said Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the injury.

“At this point, at this juncture of the season, it’s the last thing you want to see,” LeBron James said after the game. “When you have an MVP candidate on your team, the last thing you want to see is somebody go down with a hamstring injury. … So, pray for the best, for sure, and a speedy recovery.”

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Luka Doncic Injury Timeline Raises Concern

While the Lakers are awaiting official results, early projections from sports injury expert Jeff Stotts are already raising concern.

Stotts, a certified athletic trainer who operates InStreetClothes.com, noted that the average recovery time for NBA players dealing with hamstring strains this season is approximately 22 days — or about nine games — significantly higher than historical averages.

“Still a lot of details to sort through re: Doncic’s hamstring injury, but there’s a lot on the line,” Stotts wrote on X. “This season the average time lost for nondescript hamstring strains in the NBA has been ~22 days (~9 games).”

That timeline presents a difficult reality for Los Angeles.

The Lakers have just five games remaining in the regular season. Even a relatively mild strain could sideline Doncic through the end of that stretch, putting his availability for the postseason — and his individual accolades — into question.

The injury is particularly concerning given Doncic’s recent history. He missed four games earlier this season due to a left hamstring strain and dealt with soreness in the same area during the 2023-24 campaign.

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MVP Candidacy, Lakers Outlook at Stake

Beyond the immediate impact on the court, the injury could carry major implications for Doncic’s MVP case.

Thursday’s game marked his 64th appearance of the season. Under NBA rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to qualify for major awards, including MVP.

While there is a provision for players who suffer season-ending injuries, it requires them to participate in at least 85% of the team’s games. Doncic currently sits at 83%, meaning he would likely fall short of eligibility if he is unable to return.

The timing adds another layer of frustration for the Lakers, who had surged into contention behind Doncic’s dominant play. He was recently named Western Conference Player of the Month after averaging 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals during a 15-2 run in March.

However, his abbreviated performance against Oklahoma City — 12 points on 3-for-10 shooting with six turnovers — underscored how quickly momentum can shift.

“They beat the [expletive] out of us,” Austin Reaves said after the loss.

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Lakers Lean on Depth, Hope for Recovery

Despite the setback, the Lakers remain in a relatively stable position in the Western Conference standings.

At 50-27, Los Angeles holds the No. 3 seed and has already secured a playoff berth, ensuring they will avoid the play-in tournament. That guarantees an additional week of rest between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs — a potential window for Doncic to recover.

Still, his absence would be a major test for a team that has gone 7-6 without him this season.

“There’s never a time to get comfortable in this league,” James said. “The only thing we do know is that we won’t be in the play-in, so we have that week. But health is wealth.”

For now, the Lakers are left waiting for clarity — and hoping the timeline proves less severe than early projections suggest.

Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo