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Brian Windhorst expresses concern about Luka Doncic's rehab progress ahead of the playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His availability is crucial for the Los Angeles Lakers' chances in the matchup.
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The Los Angeles Lakers begin a difficult playoff challenge tomorrow. They face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven series as clear underdogs once again.
A similar situation unfolded in the previous round against the Houston Rockets. On that occasion, the Lakers managed to compete, especially amid Kevin Durant’s absence, but the margin for error is even smaller this time.
Having Luka Doncic available would significantly improve their chances. However, the latest update suggests the star guard is still far from making his return.
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ESPN journalist Brian Windhorst outlined the situation on Get Up this Monday. His comments indicated that Doncic is not yet close to resuming full basketball activity.
“He is not close. There is a whole ramp up that is required when you are coming back from a hamstring,” Windhorst said. “He has not started that contact ramp up yet.”
He added: “The Lakers got a break by starting this series a little bit after, by resting , but it has not brought Luka back. A series lasts 14 days. I don’t know where they’ll be in 10 days, but do not expect to see Luka in the first few games of the series.”
Luka Doncic is reported to be far from making his return, raising concerns about his availability for the series.
Without Luka Doncic, the Lakers face a significant challenge as they are already considered underdogs in the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Los Angeles Lakers begin their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow.
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Doncic’s importance to the team makes that setback even more significant. According to SofaScore, he averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists during the regular season.
Those numbers placed him firmly in MVP conversations at different points. His absence removes the team’s primary scorer and playmaker against the league’s best team.
The statistical difference with and without Doncic is clear. His presence transforms the Lakers’ overall effectiveness on both ends.
According to StatMuse, the Lakers hold a 14-10 record without him across the 2026 regular season and playoffs. They have averaged 111.1 points per game in those contests.
With Doncic available, the numbers improve notably. The team is 43-21 and scores 116.9 points per game, reflecting his offensive impact.
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