Getty
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts from the floor after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Luka Doncic will travel overseas in an effort to accelerate his recovery from a left hamstring injury, according to a report from ESPN insider Shams Charania.
“After consultation with Lakers doctors and his own medical team, Luka Doncic will seek specialized medical treatment in Europe on his Grade 2 left hamstring in an attempt to expedite his return to play,” Charania reported, citing agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball.
The decision comes after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 134-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, their first game without Dončić and Austin Reaves, both of whom have been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.
Lakers Feel Immediate Impact Without Doncic, Reaves
GettyLuka Doncic and Austin Reaves react during a game as the Lakers navigate injuries amid a tight playoff race.
The absence of Dončić and Reaves was evident Sunday.
The Lakers trailed by as many as 22 points in the first half and led for just 13 seconds early before spending the rest of the night playing from behind.
LeBron James finished with 30 points and 15 assists, helping spark a second-quarter rally that trimmed the deficit to six by halftime. He scored 16 points in the period as Los Angeles fought to stay within reach.
The Lakers pulled within 72-70 early in the third quarter following a transition alley-oop from Luke Kennard to James, but never got closer.
Kennard added 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double, providing a boost in the absence of the team’s primary creators.
Still, the offensive burden proved difficult to sustain without Dončić and Reaves, whose combined production has anchored the Lakers throughout the season.
Dončić’s Absence Leaves Major Void
Dončić, the NBA’s scoring leader, had been averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds prior to the injury, serving as the Lakers’ primary offensive engine.
His absence — coupled with Reaves’ 23.3 points per game — has forced Los Angeles to adopt a more committee-based approach offensively.
Head coach JJ Redick recently emphasized that shift, noting the team will rely on multiple players to share playmaking duties.
Playoff Race Tightens
The loss dropped the Lakers to 50-28, tied with the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with four games remaining in the regular season.
With Houston still within striking distance, the margin for error has narrowed as Los Angeles navigates a critical stretch without two of its top scorers.
European Treatment Signals Urgency
Dončić’s decision to seek treatment in Europe reflects a proactive effort to accelerate his recovery timeline.
Grade 2 hamstring strains typically require several weeks of rehabilitation, making his availability for the start of the playoffs uncertain.
By pursuing specialized care overseas, Dončić and the Lakers are exploring alternative recovery options that could help him return sooner.
Bigger Picture for Los Angeles Lakers
For now, the Lakers must find ways to stay afloat.
Dončić’s absence has reshaped the team’s offensive identity, placing increased responsibility on James and a committee of role players.
His recovery timeline — and the success of his treatment abroad — could ultimately determine how far Los Angeles can go once the postseason begins.
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
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