Luka Doncic is returning to Los Angeles on Friday after spending the past week in Spain receiving multiple injections for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain, but his availability for the start of the playoffs remains in question.

The No. 4-seeded Lakers are set to host the No. 5-seeded Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night. Los Angeles has not offered a firm timeline for his comeback beyond ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season.

“I do not believe Luka will play in the first round,” Pro Football Doc said. “The setback risk with a hamstring is greater than it is with an oblique. If Luka returns even one game too early, you could lose him for the rest of the playoffs. With Austin Reaves, that same risk is not as severe. I think Reaves returns before Luka. Reaves has a chance to come back at some point in the first round, but I believe Luka will be out for at least the entire first round.”

That leaves the Lakers preparing to open the playoffs potentially without the NBA’s leading scorer. Doncic finished the season averaging 33.5 points per game, along with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds, serving as the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ offense.

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