Update: The Lakers ruled Luka Dončić OUT for Game 4
Luka Dončić reaggravated his left hamstring strain on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI later revealed a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and the Lakers ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season.
Days after the diagnosis, Dončić traveled to Europe and reportedly underwent stem cell therapy. He returned to Los Angeles before the playoffs and has continued working with the Lakers’ medical staff during his rehab. Dončić has been out of game action since, missing the Lakers' first-round series vs. the Rockets.
On Wednesday, Dončić told reporters his original timeline to return was eight weeks, which would keep him out through the second round and conference finals. He has begun running but has not been cleared for full contact.
Pro Football Doc Medical Analysis
Now that Dončić has revealed his original eight-week timeline, Pro Football Doc said it is likely the Lakers star will remain out for the playoffs unless Los Angeles makes a run to the NBA Finals.
“If you return a game too early and there’s a setback, you’re now out for the rest of the playoffs,” Pro Football Doc said earlier this month.
Lakers Playoff Outlook
Game 2 of the Lakers’ series against the Thunder is set for Thursday night, marking five weeks since Dončić’s setback.
When asked if there was any chance he could return this series, Dončić said, “I’m just doing everything I can. Every day, I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do — obviously recovering, now I’m working.”
The Lakers are 0-5 this season vs. the Thunder, and only one of those games has been decided by fewer than 10 points.
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