Luka Doncic Returning to Los Angeles Friday, a Playoff Hope for the Lakers
Luka Doncic returns to the US on Friday after treatment in Spain. The Lakers star could be available for the first round of the playoffs against Houston, despite his hamstring injury.
Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) falls to the court during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic will be back in Los Angeles on Friday after spending a week in Spain to treat his left hamstring injury. According to ESPN, the Lakers star received several specialized injections to speed up his recovery and maximize his chances of a quick return to the court.
The Slovenian guard was injured on April 2 during a 134-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain. This type of injury typically requires about a month of recovery, but Doncic hopes to shorten that timeline thanks to his European treatment.
Shams says Luka Doncic is currently progressing well in his rehab and tomorrow will reveal when he’ll be back to return 😳
« He spent the last week in Spain from my understanding, the majority of time in Spain, he underwent multiple injection treatments in that hamstring. My… pic.twitter.com/1FscUZR0ju
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) April 13, 2026
A Race Against the Clock Before Game 1
The Lakers, fourth in the Western Conference, will host the Houston Rockets on Saturday at 9:30 PM at Crypto.com Arena for Game 1 of their first-round series. Although Doncic has not yet been officially ruled out for this game, his participation remains highly unlikely given the nature of his injury.
The Lakers medical staff will reassess their star point guard upon his return on Friday. This news nonetheless opens a door of hope for Lakers fans, who could see their star return earlier than expected in the series.
Before his injury, Doncic was having an exceptional season, averaging 33.5 points (the league’s leading scorer), 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. In March, he was phenomenal with 37.5 points per game on 49.2% shooting, leading the Lakers to a record of 15 wins and 2 losses over that stretch.
Without Doncic or Austin Reaves, also sidelined with a Grade 2 oblique strain, the Lakers finished the regular season with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. LeBron James, named Western Conference Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season, carried the team with averages of 24 points, 9.7 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy, also asked the NBA to grant his client an exception for end-of-season awards, as Doncic fell short of the required 65-game threshold after missing two games in December to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia.
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With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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