Despite entering the 2026 NBA Playoffs without Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), the depleted Los Angeles Lakers managed to upset the Houston Rockets in six games to advance to the second round.
Now, the Lakers have a date with the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder. While LeBron James put the team on his back and Reaves is back in the lineup, there’s one major question hanging over the Lakers-Thunder series: Will Dončić be able to suit up?
Luka Doncic Injury Update: Latest on the Superstar’s Status for Round 2 vs. Thunder
Doncic suffered his hamstring injury on April 2 against Oklahoma City, the same blowout loss in which Reaves sustained his oblique strain.
Prior to the start of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Dončić flew to Spain in hopes of accelerating his recovery process. Initially, there were some rumblings from Lakers insider Jovan Buha that Dončić may be able to return toward the end of the the first round. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania shot that down multiple times, stressing that the Lakers never expected to have Dončić available in Round 1.
Game 1 against the Thunder is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, because the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors forced Game 7s in their respective series. This is excellent news for the Lakers, as it gives Dončić some extra time to recover. Charania had stated several times that Los Angeles was targeting an “early-May return” for the superstar.
Will Dončić be available for Game 1? That may be a stretch, as ClutchPoints NBA reporter Brett Siegel reported on Friday night that Dončić “has still yet to start one-on-one drills” and “his return is still not clear nor close.”
With that said, he has begun “to do light individual work” and “there is optimism he can begin ramping up his activities next week,” Siegel added.
Given this update, a Game 1 return sounds unlikely. However, based on the way he’s progressing, it seems like there’s a real chance that Dončić will return at some point during the second-round series. Could he be available for Game 2 on Thursday, May 7, or for Game 3 on Saturday, May 9?
During the regular season, Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 36.6% from 3.
While Dončić only appeared in 64 games during the regular season, the NBA announced that he and Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham were eligible for end-of-season honors like the All-NBA team anyway. Neither player appeared in the minimum 65 games required, but they both filed “Extraordinary Circumstances” grievances and the league ruled in their favor. Dončić missed two games to travel to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter, which is why the league granted him eligibility.
“I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision,” Dončić said in a statement. “It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark [Walter], Jeanie [Buss], Rob [Pelinka], JJ [Redick], and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there.
“This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards.”
With Reaves back in action, James playing some of his best basketball in some time, and Dončić potentially nearing a mid-series return, perhaps the Lakers can pull off a second-straight upset over a favored opponent.
