DHJ Quick Take
- Playoff Path: If the Lakers eliminate the Rockets in the first round, they are scheduled to face the Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
- Dončić’s Injury Status: Luka Dončić is sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2 against the Thunder; while he has resumed some on-court movement, his availability for the start of the second round remains uncertain.
- Specialized Treatment: To accelerate his recovery, Dončić traveled to Spain to receive specialized injections and medical therapies not widely available in the United States.
If the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round and Luka Dončić may not play in that series either, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Dončić is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. He suffered the injury on April 2 against the Thunder. The six-time All-Star went to Spain to receive injections in his injured hamstring to promote healing and expedite his return to the court.
Dončić led the NBA in total points and points per game in his first full season with the Lakers. He averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists a night while shooting 47.6% from the field, 36.6% from beyond the arc and 78.0% from the free-throw line.
The Lakers went 43-21 when Dončić played in the 2025-26 regular season. The former Dallas Mavericks superstar recorded 34 double-doubles, eight triple-doubles, 14 40-point games, one 50-point game and one 60-point game.
Los Angeles is up 3-1 against Houston. If the Lakers eliminate the Rockets, they will lose to the Thunder in four or five games without Dončić.
A future Hall of Famer, Dončić has career averages of 29.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game with the Mavericks and Lakers. He will likely make his sixth All-NBA First Team this year.
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