Luka Doncic Returns Friday, April 17th, But Playoff Status Unclear

Luka Doncic is back in L.A. on Friday, April 17th, but the Lakers still don't know if he can play in the playoffs. This is a big question for the team.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is slated to return to Los Angeles on Friday, April 17th, after a week in Spain undergoing specialized treatment for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. His status for the upcoming NBA playoffs, however, remains undecided. Sources close to the situation confirmed his impending arrival to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Doncic suffered the injury on April 2nd in a significant loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. A Grade 2 hamstring strain typically carries a recovery period of approximately one month. The Lakers, entering the postseason as the number 4 seed, are set to face the Houston Rockets in their first-round series, beginning Saturday, April 18th.

The team has not offered a definitive timeline for Doncic's return to game action, leaving his participation in the crucial early playoff games in doubt. His return to L.A. will be followed by further evaluation by team medical staff.

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Doncic to return from Spain on Friday; status TBD - 1

The Lakers are also contending with the absence of Austin Reaves, who sustained a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the same game against Oklahoma City and is expected to miss the entirety of the first-round series. The team managed a 3-2 record during the final stretch of the season without both Doncic and Reaves.

Doncic concluded the regular season averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game, figures that led the league in scoring. Another report indicated a brief stop in his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia, to visit his daughters before rejoining his team for additional treatment.

BACKGROUND

The hamstring injury, sustained in the latter part of the regular season, has cast a shadow over the Lakers' playoff aspirations. While the team navigated the final games without their star player, the urgency of the postseason amplifies the impact of his potential absence. Historically, a Grade 2 hamstring strain necessitates a considerable recovery window, making an immediate return unlikely. The team's strategy appears to center on receiving specialized treatment in Europe, a move intended to expedite his rehabilitation process. However, the medical assessment upon his return to Los Angeles will ultimately dictate when he can rejoin the squad on the court.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is Luka Doncic returning to Los Angeles?
Luka Doncic is scheduled to arrive back in Los Angeles on Friday, April 17th. He has been in Spain getting treatment for a hamstring injury he got on April 2nd.
Q: Will Luka Doncic play in the NBA playoffs for the Lakers?
It is not yet known if Luka Doncic will play in the playoffs. His return to game action depends on a medical evaluation after he gets back to L.A. The Lakers play the Houston Rockets starting Saturday, April 18th.
Q: What injury does Luka Doncic have?
Luka Doncic has a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. This type of injury usually takes about a month to heal.
Q: Who else is injured on the Lakers?
Austin Reaves also has a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will likely miss the first round of the playoffs.
Q: How did the Lakers do without Doncic and Reaves?
The team won 3 out of their last 5 games without both star players.