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Lakers’ Luka Doncic breaks silence on ‘very frustrating’ hamstring injury

May 6, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY — Luka Doncic spoke to the media for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2 in Oklahoma City, breaking his silence on his recovery efforts and if he could return during the second round of the playoffs.

In short, the NBA’s scoring champion, at 33.5 points per game, appears unlikely to return during the Lakers’ playoff run.

Doncic said that when he first received an MRI on his hamstring, doctors told him his injury would require an eight-week recovery, a fact that Doncic repeatedly referred to when asked about his recovery process Wednesday.

Game 2 of the second round on Thursday night in Oklahoma City would be five weeks since that fateful night against the same Thunder. Doncic watched his teammates put up a battle but come up short 108-90 in Game 1.

The Slovenian star said he has began running, but has yet to be cleared to start on-court contact drills – adding that he’s being very “careful” about the recovery process in order to not reaggravate his hamstring, an ailment he dealt with before the All-Star break.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Doncic, who was having an MVP-caliber season before his injury. “I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I wanna do is play basketball, especially this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating seeing what my team is doing. I’m very proud of them. It’s been very tough to just to sit and watch them play.”

In the days before his left hamstring strain, Doncic received Western Conference Player of the Month honors for March (his second monthly honor of the season). The Lakers recorded a 15-2 record in March, a run that Doncic said Wednesday was “amazing,” just before suffering his regular-season-ending injury in what he called, “worst moment probably for me.”

Doncic said he went to Spain, in order to attempt to expedite his recovery, and received four platelet-rich plasma injections spaced four days apart, which required a longer-term stay in Europe through the end of the regular season.

“Everybody knows that Spain, they’re just one of the best countries to do (provide treatment),” Doncic said. “And obviously, I talked with the Lakers’ doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there. Obviously, I know and trust lots of people from Spain that I used to work before.”

The 27-year-old star guard said that he’s been using oxygen chamber treatment, cold tubs and “everything” he can do to come back.

Watching from the bench as the Lakers stunned most of the NBA by winning their first-round series against the Houston Rockets – as guard Austin Reaves returned from his Grade 2 strain on a slightly expedited timeline than previously expected – Doncic said the team impressed him with their resiliency to win the best-of-seven slate in six games.

“The way everybody stepped up is truly amazing to see,” Doncic said. “So hopefully they continue that.”

Is there a chance that Doncic could return for Game 3 or Game 4 back in Los Angeles?

Doncic remained mum, not ruling it out, but pointing back to his lengthy recovery timeline that he’s only just over halfway through.

“I’m just doing everything I can, like I said,” Doncic said. “Every day I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do. Obviously recovery, now I’m working. But like I said, doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. Just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”

NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND GAME 2

Who: Lakers (down 1-0) at Oklahoma City

When: 6:30 PT Thursday

Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City

TV/Radio: Prime/ESPN LA 710, 980 KFWB

Orange County Register

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Lakers’ Luka Doncic breaks silence on ‘very frustrating’ hamstring injury

NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND GAME 2

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