Report: Luka Doncic to return to L.A. Friday; game status unknown

Field Level Media|published: Mon 13th April, 16:48 2026

Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) falls to the court after an injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Lakers star Luka Doncic is expected to return to Los Angeles on Friday after receiving specialized treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Europe, ESPN reported Monday, though when he will return to game action remains unknown.

The 27-year-old reportedly spent a week in Spain receiving multiple injections for the injury sustained in a 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

The team announced the next day after an MRI that he will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. The Lakers have not shared any further updates on Doncic's return since the initial announcement.

The typical recovery timeline for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is a month. That would keep the league's leading scorer (33.5 points per game) and Los Angeles' leader in assists (8.3) and steals (1.6) out for potentially the entire first round of the playoffs.

The No. 4 seed Lakers are set to kick off their first-round series Saturday against the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets.

The Lakers are also without Austin Reaves (23.3 ppg, 5.5 apg) after he sustained a Grade 2 left oblique injury. He's expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.

Los Angeles finished the season 3-2 after the loss of Doncic and Reaves.

--Field Level Media

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