Luka Dončić has provided an update on his hamstring injury, and it comes as a blow to the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes of making a deep NBA Playoffs run.
The Slovenian, who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early April, has now revealed a possible return timeline.
NBA World Reacts to Luka Dončić’s Injury Update
During his media availability on Wednesday, Dončić shared that the doctors told him, when he suffered his injury, that he would be sidelined for about 8 weeks.
“I’m just doing everything I can, like I said. Every day I’m doing stuff I was supposed to do,” he said. “Obviously, I’m recovering now, I’m working, but as a doctor said, eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI,” he said. “So, you know, I’m just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”
Dončić expressed how frustrating it is to be sidelined when his team needs him most.
“I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I wanna do is play basketball, especially this time (of the year)… Seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them. It’s been very tough just to sit and watch them play,” he said.
Luka Doncic: “I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I wanna do is play basketball, especially this time (of year) … Seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them. It’s been very tough just to sit and watch them play.”pic.twitter.com/sJdX0FBwv3
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 6, 2026
The NBA world reacted to Dončić’s comments, with Rachel Nichols noting that he is still likely two-to-three weeks away from returning given the eight-week timeline.
“Luka Dončić giving his first media availability since getting injured – says doctors initially told him he’d be out two months. That was about five weeks ago. Says he’s doing everything he can to collapse that timeline,” she wrote on X.
Luka Doncic giving his first media availability since getting injured – says doctors initially told him he’d be out two months. That was about five weeks ago. Says he’s doing everything he can to collapse that timeline.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 6, 2026
PFSN’s deputy editor Alex Kennedy noted that this is new information that changes the conversation around a potential mid-series return.
“Whoa, I believe this is the first time we’ve heard 8 weeks as the initial recovery timeline,” he wrote.
Jesse Morse, a doctor and sports injury analyst, predicted that Dončić is likely still “1-2 weeks away” from returning, as he “likely had a pretty significant grade 2 hamstring strain/partial tear.”
One Lakers page called for Dončić to take his time with his rehab rather than risking a more serious injury by returning early.
“Take ya time Luka. Don’t risk it. Them hamstring injuries ain’t no joke,” they wrote.
Take ya time Luka. Don’t risk it. Them hamstring injuries ain’t no joke
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) May 6, 2026
CuffsTheLegend, an NBA influencer who is friendly with LeBron James, called on the Lakers to shift their focus to the offseason and find a partner team to facilitate a sign-and-trade for Reaves.
“Luka is done playing basketball this season,” he wrote. “Now figure out a sign & trade for Reaves this summer.”
Luka is done playing basketball this season. Now figure out a sign & trade for Reaves this Summer https://t.co/3RLOijFP8y
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) May 6, 2026
One Lakers fan was dejected by the update from Dončić. “Our season will be done wayyyyyy before he’s ready to come back,” they wrote.
“I’m glad that we got the response from the man himself. If Lakers were ever to pull off a miracle, Luka would be that close to return. Seeing this now and what we’re seeing towards the end, he’s never coming back. It is what it is. Also, Shams [Charania] has to do a better job on his work,” another user wrote.
I’m glad that we got the response from the man himself. If Lakers were ever to pull off a miracle, Luka would be that close to return. Seeing this now and what we’re seeing towards the end, he’s never coming back. It is what it is. Also, Shams has to do a better job on his work. https://t.co/2MRfZROecy
— Mateo Kokic (@MateoKokic1) May 6, 2026
The Lakers are preparing for Game 2 of their series against the Thunder. James, Reaves, and Co. will try to claim a road win on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
At this point, all the Lakers can do is try to extend this series as long as possible and hope that Dončić is able to return ahead of schedule, but it’s sounding less and less likely after this most-recent update.
