Major Update on Luka Doncic Status for Lakers-Rockets Series

Slovenian guard Luka Doncic is not expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Los Angeles Lakers versus Houston Rockets playoff series that begins on Saturday.

Doncic, currently in Europe seeking alternative treatment for his injured hamstring, visited his home country of Slovenia over the weekend to spend time with his daughters. He is reportedly slated to return to Madrid early this week to complete a second round of stem cell therapy to expedite his injury recovery.

According to Slovenian outlet Ekipa, Doncic is expected to rejoin his Lakers teammates “midweek” this week, meaning he will be on the sidelines for Game 1 on Saturday.

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Luka Doncic Injury Update

“After a short break in Slovenia, Luka will soon return to Madrid for a new series of therapies,” read a report published by Ekipa over the weekend.

“From the Spanish capital, he will then fly to Los Angeles, where he is expected midweek or immediately upon entering his second half.”

When the Lakers initially diagnosed Doncic with a grade 2 hamstring strain, they refused to provide a timetable for his return beyond confirming he’d miss the final five regular-season games. Yet, it was widely expected that he’d miss four to six weeks of action, based on the recovery timeline for the same injury among his NBA peers.

Based on that timeline, Doncic won’t be ready until the second round of the playoffs, which typically begins around May 3-4 — unless his stem cell therapy works.

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Lakers Vs. Rockets Playoff Series

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne recently sent shockwaves when she predicted that Doncic may actually be cleared to return by the latter half of the first round.

“I mean, this is on a platter for him. Just write the final scene there. I mean, everybody’s out, his back’s against the wall. Can he still have it? This is it. It sets up for it,” Shelburne told ESPN’s “NBA Today” last week.

“From what I understand, there’s a chance Luka could come back later in the first round. He’s in Spain, he’s getting treatment every day. A lot of people on the team are talking to him every day. He’s engaged.”

Lakers head coach JJ Redick has already retierated several times that Doncic is “attacking” his rehab and determined to rejoin his teammates at the earliest.

“I think he’s, in my conversations with him, he’s motivated to do everything possible,” Redick said of Doncic trying to get back to the court as soon as 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.”

While waiting for Doncic and Austin Reaves to heal, the onus will be on LeBron James to carry the Lakers against the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 tips off Saturday at 5:30 p.m. local time at the Crypto.com arena.

Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan